The Lottery Character Analysis

The Lottery Character Analysis

Mr. Summers

Despite the positive connotations associated with his name, Mr. Summers holds the responsibility of overseeing many of the town's activities including the lottery. His prominence in the town seems to stem from the fact that he manages the coal company, and from the town's people, who sympathize with him because he is childless and has a miserable wife. With the help of Mr. Graves, he oversees every aspect of the lottery, including preparing the papers with the black spot, and housing the black box through out the year. Mr. Summers, does not have the same level of obsession with the paraphernalia of the lottery, and is shown to be very practical when it comes to things like the black box. He gets rid of the practice of using wood chips, instead replacing it with paper due to the increase in the town's population, and he also suggests changing the box since it is no longer in the best condition. Despite his position of importance, however, the ritual trumps his power, and we learn that he too must partake in the lottery like everyone else in the town after he himself picks a paper from the black box.

Symbolism: The Lottery

The Lottery Symbolism

Symbolism: The Lottery 

  The lottery itself is symbolic of the traditions of the people, and their reluctance to change. The lottery is an annual event, and though it is a senseless sacrifice of their fellow brethren, it is defended by the town’s people. It is a ritualistic sacrifice, which the town’s people believe will have an impact on their crops. Old Man Warner repeats a popular saying which states “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon” which is evidence of their strong associations with the lottery. 

The Lottery Summary

Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"

Summary

It's a beautiful summer day on June 27th, and residents of a small town gather for an event known as the lottery. The children, newly released for summer, are still speaking of school, playing, and carefully gathering the best stones in a pile. The men and their wives begin to congregate, carefully avoiding the pile, and beckon to the children to join their respective families. Mr. Summers, the man who controls the coal company and oversees the lottery, arrives with a black box. He is followed by the postmaster, Mr. Graves, who brings with him a stool to set the box upon. Two of the residents, Mr. Martin and his son Baxter, reluctantly help them to steady the box onto the stool while Mr. Summers shuffles the papers inside it. The remaining residents are careful to keep their distance from the box.