A Book Review of The Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling that is used to raise money for various public causes. The winner or winners are chosen by random drawing from a large group of people who paid a small amount to be included in the drawing. Sometimes a percentage of the money raised is donated to charities. Other times it is spent on a prize such as a car or house. Financial lotteries are very popular, but they have also been criticized as addictive forms of gambling.
In the United States, lotteries are regulated by federal law. In addition, state laws may regulate the types of prizes offered, how money is distributed, and how tickets are sold. The term lottery comes from the Latin word loto, meaning “fate.” In colonial America, a lottery was a way to raise funds for both private and public ventures. Lotteries were used to help fund the first English colonies and to finance public works projects such as roads, canals, and churches. They were also used to raise money for the colonial army, including Benjamin Franklin’s attempt to sponsor a lottery to fund cannons for Philadelphia during the American Revolution.
The plot of Jackson’s story revolves around a small town in New England that has a tradition of holding a lottery every summer. The villagers all participate in the lottery, even the children and their families. In the beginning of the story, the people seem to be enjoying themselves and the sense of community that the lottery brings. However, as the story progresses it becomes clear that the winner of the lottery will be stoned to death by the other villagers.
This is a very disturbing part of the story because it shows how violent people can be. It is interesting to note that the people in this village are not really that different from people anywhere else in the world. They are all capable of doing horrible things to each other. The only difference is that they do it in the name of following tradition. This is a lesson that people should remember. It is okay to follow traditions but it should not be at the cost of someone’s life.
Jackson’s use of the lottery is an effective means to show how a small community can turn into a murderous pack of fools. It is a story that is not only very sad but also very believable. Jackson’s use of the lottery also illustrates how easily people can turn their lives upside down by following tradition. It is important to always think critically and avoid blindly following tradition, especially when it leads to violence. A person should be able to stand up for themselves and not allow other people to control their lives. The fact that the people in this story are so willing to kill each other just for the sake of tradition is shocking and makes the reader question what they believe in. In the end, it is a very sad story that reminds us of our humanity.