Synopsis and analysis of literary and academic works

Social Stratification and Intolerance to Change in "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Discussions of issues regarding human suffering is an explicit theme commonly found in most American literary pieces. Human suffering is often illustrated through the interaction of the individual and the society, which is often illustrated as intolerant of social changes. In the short story, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, which was published in 1948, the social issues governing the American society during the mid-20th century American society is discussed. In addition to the discussion of intolerance to social changes and rigidity of the norms and rules within the society, "The Lottery" is also a study of the social dynamics that occur within the traditional and rural American family and community. These dynamics are best illustrated on how social classification is identified and perpetuated within the society.

For the purpose of this research, "The Lottery" will be analyzed according to the prevailing themes found in the story. These themes are categorized into two main themes, which are the following: (1) the theme of the traditional and ideal family and American society and (2) intolerance to social changes in the society. Within the theme of the traditional and ideal family and American society, the sub-themes of gender stratification, age stratification, and class stratification are discussed and analyzed. These themes will be discussed in accordance to the narrative and character portrayals that Jackson utilizes in her short story. In analyzing and discussing these themes and sub-themes, this paper will develop the stance that "The Lottery" of Shirley Jackson is an illustration and reflection of the social order (through class, gender, and age stratification) and the intolerance to social changes of the American society and family during the mid-20th century.

The first main theme of the story is the illustration of the traditional family and ideal society as reflected in Jackson's portrayal of the New England community in "The Lottery." The traditional family is illustrated by Jackson as she introduces the readers to the characters in the story. As Jackson establishes the setting and context at which the story takes place, she also illustrates how the family is 'arranged' within the story's society: "The children assembled first, of course... Soon the men began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes... The women, wearing faded house dresses and sweaters, came shortly... They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip..." This passage reflects the kind of roles that children, men, and women occupy within the society. Men are illustrated as farmers who discuss work and social issues, while women are shown as housewives only, and have nothing to do but 'gossip' with each other. Children, meanwhile, are expected to be punctual and obedient to their parents. Through the illustration of the preoccupation of the men, women, and children in the society, readers are able to discern that the author attempts to extend to her readers the 'traditional setting' at which the traditional American family is illustrated.

The ideal society in Jackson's story is illustrated through the discussion of sub-themes that are prevalent in the story. The 'ideal society' that Jackson talks about in the "The Lottery" is one that is maintained through social order, a social order where gender, class, and social stratification exists. This is definitely not the 'utopian' society where there is an egalitarian order, that is, people are equal. Nevertheless, the maintenance of social order in the story shows how the characters in the story achieves the perfect society and community by maintaining a rigid set of rules and norms wherein social stratification is accepted and tolerated.

The first sub-theme that discusses the maintenance of social order in Jackson's New England society is the gender stratification that is blatantly illustrated in the story. Gender stratification in the patriarchal and male-dominated community wherein Jackson's character live by. The tradition of annually holding the town's lottery and the events that happen within this social activity illustrate the patriarchal society and dominance of men in their society. The lottery's rules are implemented and imposed in the society by Mr. Summers, and men are the only ones who were able to draw from the ballot box. The complexity of the lottery's rules resounds of male dominance, with rules stating that "[d]aughters draw with their husbands' families" and the calling of names with "heads of the families first" show how a tradition is governed and always led by men. Women are only relegated to minor roles, and only gain importance with the absence of men.

Class stratification is also present in the story, especially between the characters of Mr. Summers, Graves, and Martin and the working families. Mr. Summers is definitely considered as the leader of the community, along with Mr. Graves and Martin, while the working families of the town are relegated to roles that are entirely submissive and obedient to Mr. Summers and Co.'s power as facilitators of the long-time tradition of holding the annual lottery in their town. The following passage in the story best illustrates how class stratification is evident in Jackson's literary piece: "The lottery was conducted... By Mr. Summers... The postmaster, Mr. Graves, followed him, carrying a three- legged stool, and the stool was put in the center of the square... Mr. Martin and his oldest son, Baxter, came forward to hold the box steady on the stool..." Indeed, the tradition of lottery and participation of these three significant men show their power in their community.

Age stratification is also another social inequality that happens in Jackson's society. It is evident that the elderly and the young generation have different perspectives in the maintenance of old traditions such as the lottery. This is evidently expressed as the townsfolk discuss the abolition of the lottery tradition in their community: "Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live hat way for a while." A conflict between the old and young generations becomes significant in the discussion of the lottery, a symbol used in the story representing the social order and traditional rigid American society.