Short Story Question: Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"?

Question

It's an old one but if you've read it..do you think the writer's intention was to compose a "moral parable" or simply entertain. Or a bit of both?

Answer 1

I think her story was meant to be both a moral parable and to entertain (most authors write stories that do both).

Answer 2

No way Jackson simply wanted to entertain. We are a species given to mob mentality - disgusting but true. Was "The Lottery written in the 1950's? Could be a comment on McCarthyism and the red scare. Good strory though. Scapegoats. Ancient rituals.

Answer 3

moral..it's the idea that people have in their minds of what a 'lottery' is.

a meaning of a word can mean just the opposite of what you believe it to be and still be right! that is the importance of her story. the issue of what society believes is not always truth.

when you hear 'lottery' it brings money, excitement, and joy to mind. it's a good feeling right? but Shirley Jackson's story takes that and what you thought was good, is bad and not what you would want in a 'lottery'.

when i first read it, i was really surprised as i'm sure most people were.

it's a great short story.

Answer 4

Of course, both. But it was primarily an exercise in getting people to examine the idea whether something is morally right if the political process approves of it, or the community traditionally supports it. There was a TV movie sequel to the story several years ago, starring Dan Cortese, that was really quite good.

Answer 5

I think that it is more of a parable. It's a chilling story, I first read it in the 9th grade and I remember being able to identify with it- it was well written, one of the few things that I remember reading way back in the stone age- that I still remember.

Answer 6

I think she intended to say something about society. But she's a good writer, and I'm sure she knew that the best way to make her point was to make the story interesting and entertaining. By the way - she also wrote some very funny books about raising her kids - "Raising Demons" and "Life Among the Savages".

Answer 7

Moral Parable to be sure. I read it many years ago and it struck me as a story to make us question our own society and what is or is not acceptable. It makes you see beyond the tragedy and see the culture on an even scale before alowing you to judge.

Answer 8

Oh, I'd say there was definitely a "moral parable" in Jackson's intent.
But, of course, it's also one hell of an entertaining story.
It's a lot of both.

Answer 9

If this is what I am thinking of, then she chose the "moral parable" on purpose. Also I belive it is loosly based on the original beginnings of St. Valentines Day, if I remember correctly

Answer 10

That was a very chilling story - I remember that reading assignment when I was in school. I never did quite understand the significance behind a lottery for stoning people. It gave me the heebie jeebies.