The Lottery
A lottery is a method of selecting winners by drawing lots. This process can be conducted by any number of methods, but is usually based on the principle that everyone has an equal chance of winning. The first step in a lottery is to thoroughly mix the tickets or counterfoils with a randomizing procedure. This can be done by shaking, tossing or any other mechanical means that ensures that each ticket is treated equally. The tickets are then separated from each other and a winning ticket is selected by some method. Computers are often used to select the winner, as they can quickly process large numbers of entries and generate a selection randomly.
The villagers in this story are shown to treat each other with little regard for their negative impacts on general human welfare. This is a clear sign that Jackson condemns humans’ hypocrisy and evil nature. The actions of the characters in this story also show that people mistreat each other merely because it is customary in their culture or society.
The way in which the lottery is depicted in this short story suggests that it has a strong influence on people’s behavior. It is a form of gambling in which the winning prize is determined by chance, and it is a very popular activity in many countries. Men are more likely to participate in this type of gambling, and they tend to play it more frequently than women do. This is in line with gender-related findings regarding other correlated behaviors, such as alcohol and substance use.