The Lottery Questions

1) Through “The Lottery,” what point does Shirley Jackson
make about tradition?
The people who practice tradition value it while outsiders will always look at it as strange.

2) What foreshadowing clues does Shirley Jackson
incorporate into her story? Setting is the physical location and time in which a story
takes place. To identify setting, we must note the specific
details the author provides concerning: a. The story’s
location. b. The time in which the action takes place.  c. The
social environment of the characters.
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3) What is the setting for “The Lottery”? Why is that so
important to the theme of the story?
 No specific setting is given. This makes you realize this event can happen at anytime at any place.

4) What mood does “The Lottery” instill in its readers? How
does it do this?
 At the beginning, the town seems happy and lively. Later it shifts to a dark and depressing ending.

5) What do we know about when the lottery was started?
 We aren't sure, but Old Man Warner said he was in the lottery for about 70 years. But no one ever questioned if the lottery was ethically correct.

6) How do the townspeople feel about making changes to
the lottery? How do you know?
 The townspeople don't want to change or stop the lottery at all. we learn of this through the dialogue.