Aim: How do we identify and analyze an important theme in "The Lottery"? Quick Write: Describe a tradition or ritual your family follows. Explain how the tradition got started and what the tradition means to your family. For example, there might be a certain tradition your family follows for birthdays, Christmas, or even Sunday mornings.
From Wikipedia: “The Lottery” is a short story by Shirley Jackson, first published in the June 26, 1948, issue of The New Yorker.[1] Written the same month it was published, it is ranked today as “one of the most famous short stories in the history of American literature”.[2]
Response to the story was negative, surprising Jackson and The New Yorker. Readers canceled subscriptions and sent hate mail throughout the summer.[3] The story was banned in the Union of South Africa.[4] Since then, it has been accepted as a classic American short story, subject to critical interpretations and media adaptations, and it has been taught in middle schools and high schools for decades.
“The Lottery” was published after World War II when Americans were trying to forget the horrors of war and genocide and seeking the comfort and security of a steady job and a nice home in the suburbs with a car in the driveway. Why do you think conformity would be so important to people during this time period?
Vocabulary
Reprimands = criticismsCivic activities = community or public activities
Paraphernalia = miscellaneous articles, equipment or things
Perfunctory = performed as a routine without interest or care
Interminably = seemingly without stopping; endless
Read “The Lottery” here:
THE LOTTERY by Shirley Jackson
Answer the questions below as they come up in the story.
1. Where does the story take place? How does this setting affect the story? How do you think the story would change if it were to take place in the Bronx?
2. In what ways are the characters different from one another? Why might you think that Tessie Hutchinson is singled out as the “winner”?
3. What is the meaning of the title, “The Lottery”? What does it make you think about before you begin reading the story?
4. Re-read the opening description in the first paragraph. What does this make you think the story will be about?
5. Re-read the description of the black wooden box in paragraph five and the black spot on the “winning” slip of paper. Explain the meaning of these objects.
6. Were you surprised by the ending of the story? Why or why not? If not, at what point did you know what was going to happen? How does Jackson start to foreshadow the ending in paragraphs 2 and 3?
7. Define ritual. Then explain how this relates to conformity.
8. Why do you think people reacted so angrily when the story was first published in The New Yorker?
9. Based on analysis, what would you say is the major theme of "The Lottery"?
10. What do you believe Shirley Jackson was trying to say with this short story? Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint? Why?
Discussion Question!!!!
What was the most interesting question or comment you heard today in class? Put your thoughts on the comment section below and earn one extra credit Accountable Talk II point.
What's Due
- Argument essays are overdue!!!!
- PowerPoint on the human behavior experiments
- Daily classwork/blog posts
- Independent reading book
****Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.****
No comments:
Post a Comment