Darkness And Symbolism In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

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In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery", the black wooden box functions to set the tone of the story's unexpected outcome, in addition to, elevating the theme of fault in practicing tradition solely because it is so. The box's aesthetic appearance assists the reader in deconstructing a false association with a lottery and a positive outcome. Its surface is coated in black, being not colorful or curious to look at like modern lottery ball machines. This choice of coloring, or rather lack of, is a nod towards Jackson's dark interpretation of a lottery. This darkness is hinted also by Mr. Martin and his son, who are hesitant to approach the vicinity of the box when it is first placed on a stool by Mr. Summers, revealing their fear in what it represents.

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