It is only with this understanding that the needless sacrifice can end. Shirley Jackson presents a myriad of symbols in "The Lottery." The title of the story, the procedure of the lottery, the names of the characters, and the people that participate in the lottery and those that do not are all symbols or can be interpreted as such. These symbols also indicate different views of sacrifice.

Sacrifice is present in many forms using the symbols of this story. Traditional sacrifice, which Jackson symbolically criticizes as outdated is represented through the tradition of the lottery and the worn out black box. Religious sacrifice is demonstrated by the symbols alluding to Christianity and elements of Islamic culture. Sacrifice as was present in the Day of Atonement lottery is symbolized through the procedure of the lottery in the story. Notions of sacrifice including...

These symbols paint different perceptions of sacrifice and Jackson demonstrates a darker side to society with a lottery that is much darker than it seems, with a killing in the name of tradition waiting at the end.
Works Cited

Al-Joulan, Nayef. "Islam in Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery.'" Cross-Cultural Communication 6.2 (2010): 29-39.

Bogert, Edna. "Censorship and 'The Lottery.'" the English Journal 74.1 (1985): 45-47. Print.

Cervo, Nathan. "Jackson's 'The Lottery.'" the Explicator 50.3 (1992): 183-184. Print.

Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery." Classic Short Stories. B&L Associates, 2007. Web. 12 April 2010 .

Nebeker, Helen. "The Lottery': Symbolic Tour de Force." American Literature 46.1 (1974): 100-107. Print.