Seminar 2

Jackson's The Lottery

Directions: Choose one question from the list below and write a 3-5 paragraph response. Use quotes from the story in your response.

The Lottery

1. Describe the setting of the story. What effect does Jackson's description of the weather and the town have on the reader's expectations for the story? Why do you think Jackson set it up that way?
2. Does Jackson give any hints that the story will end as it does, or does the ending come as a complete surprise? Why do you think she withholds crucial evidence from the audience?
3. What are some of the symbols in the story? What might be some interpretations of those symbols?
4. What do you infer the purpose of the lottery to be? Why do these people participate in it? Why is it important to the community?
5. What might Jackson have been suggesting about human nature with her use of plot, setting and symbolism?

Free Choice: create another question about the story, and write a response.