Characters
Piles of these being gathered around town are the first examples of foreshadowing in "The Lottery."
What are the stones/rocks?
This character is an ironic symbol of religion, as her actions are the opposite of those with religious values.
Who is Mrs. Delacroix?
rowdy, loud, energetic, and cheerful
What is "boisterous"?
What details about the villagers’ behavior make you feel something isn't quite right, building tension?
The villagers seem nervous and uncomfortable.
performed merely as a routine duty.
What is Perfunctory ?
What does the villagers’ nervous behavior foreshadow?
Their nervousness suggests that the lottery is not a fun or harmless event. It foreshadows the fear and violence that will occur later.
The use of real-world objects, people, ideas or situations to represent something else.
What is Symbolism?
Equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
What is Paraphernalia?
This lady is "of the cross" and picks up the biggest stone she could find to throw at Tessie.
Who is Mrs. Delacroix?
Why might Jackson include the detail that Tessie Hutchinson arrives late? How could this detail be considered foreshadowing?
Her late arrival draws attention to her and helps prepare the reader for her important role in the ending.
This is a symbol of human violence and cruelty.
What are stones?
This is the reason for doing the lottery every year.
What is a tradition believed to ensure that the corn will grow. "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon."
With unreasonable irritation, annoyed
What is Petulant(ly)?
The author delays revealing the purpose of the lottery to build...
What is tension? By keeping the purpose of the lottery a secret, Jackson makes readers curious and uneasy
How is the weather described at the start of the story?
What is a clear and sunny day, with all the warmth of a summer's day?
unending or forever
What is "Interminably"?