Amanda - Week 5; Question 2

Consider the literary device foreshadowing. How does Jackson use foreshadowing to set up the climax and resolution in “The Lottery”?

Throughout the short story “The Lottery” foreshadowing is used to slowly engage the reader in the information that the lottery is not something that one wants to win. At the beginning of the story, all seems well and the people of the town seem excited and happy about the clear and sunny June day. But as the story continues subtle hints are dropped as to the horrid event that will be taking place. As the drawing took place, the people were nervous as they drew their slips of paper, and there is even talk of other places that have stopped doing the lottery. The suspense when the slips of paper were opened was with a hush and when the results were told – the “winners” were frightened and were saying that the drawing was unfair. At the end of the story, the people of the town encircle Mrs. Hutchinson with stones in their hands ready to throw them at her. Even her small little boy is given stones to throw at his mother. At this point the reader is shocked and stunned by what winning the lottery entails.