Symbols in the Lottery

SYMBOL

 1. The black box The black box represents the old tradition which is old-fashioned and not practical anymore, yet can barely be changed. To illustrate, the black box itself is very old, broken on one side and grows shabbier each year. In other words, it is no more useful nor fit the society’s needs since it is not in a good condition at all and should have been changed already. However, the villagers are not willing to replace it. Instead, they use old parts from the original one to repair it. This shows that no one wants to dispose or deviate it, and how much the villagers are attached to it. It also implies that it is not an easy thing to stop doing what has been done as a ritual for ages. 2. The lottery The lottery represents a ritual that has been passed down from generation to generation and is blindly accepted to be followed by the people regardless of how cruel or unreasonable it is. To illustrate, the lottery has been taking place in the town for as long as anyone can remember. There is no answer to why it has to be held annually but no one cares to ask about it, just simply because there has always been the lottery every year; or if someone do care, they would never get the right answer since it has long been forgotten. Moreover, even though this illogical ritual makes anyone who takes part in it a murderer, it is still be preserved and goes on. 3. Tessie Hutchinson and Steve Adams These two characters’ actions symbolize selfishness of people in general as they seem to enjoy the cruelty of the ritual but when it comes to their safety, they stand up against it. To illustrate, at first, Mrs. Hutchinson seems eager to participate the lottery and shows no negative signs towards it which can be seen through her actions: hurriedly coming to the square as if she does not want to be late and encouraging her husband to go draw the lots. But at the end when she knows that she is the victim of the ritual, she tries to protest and keeps on saying that it is not fair. As for Mr. Adams, he shows any sign of reluctance by talking about the lottery in the north village which could probably be given up. However, at the end of the story when Mrs. Hutchinson is about to be stoned, he is the one standing in the front of the crowd. 4. Old man Warner This character symbolizes conservative and inflexible people in the society who wants an old ritual to continue without concerning how impractical it is. To illustrate, when someone speaks up about giving up the lottery, he seems to be upset and calls those who think so “Pack of crazy fools”. Also, when a girl says quietly that she does not want her friend, Nancy, to die, old man Warner says clearly that “People ain’t the way they used to be”. This can be suggested that people in the past, such as Mr. Warner, do not question or show a sign of reluctance and are dissatisfied to see how things are changing.