The Lottery

As we read The Lottery in class, I noticed the use of symbolism. In the story, some kids gather stones near a corner. Then the people in the town draw from a black box. Whoever draws the black dot is stoned. Tessie drew the black dot. One of her friends, during the stoning, finds a larger rock to through.

The black box is a symbol of death or of gambling. It also caused anxiousness. The slips of paper that the people drew from the box, represent their fate; life or death. The stones symbolize death or the ritual of the Lottery. The larger rock represented friendship. Tessie's friend wanted to end it faster so Tessie wouldn't have to endure it.

There were several symbols in The Lottery. They all shared one meaning in common: death.

Window

I look at all of the surrounding houses. Their windows all clean and spotless. No wonderful smudges or smears. All of them but me. I am the dirtiest window on the block. I need a wash, but don't want one. I like the layers of dust I've acquired. They make me who I am. The rain will occasionally bring a rinse, but it's not enough to scrub me clean. So I wait here, covered in filth, hoping that no one will notice me. I closely dodge the inevitable every time someone walks past. Eventually I will have to take a bath. I am still trying to get used to that truth. But for now, I can watch and wait.