The Lottery: Comprehension Questions1. Were you surprised by the ending of the story? If not, at what point did you know what was going to happen? How does Jackson start to foreshadow the ending in paragraphs 2 and 3? On the other hand, how does Jackson lull us into thinking that this is just an ordinary story with an ordinary town?

2. Where does the story take place? In what way does the setting affect the story? Does it make you more or less likely to anticipate (guess) the ending?

3. In what ways are the characters differentiated from one another? Looking back at the story, can you see why the writer singled out Tessie Hutchinson as the "winner"?

4. What are some examples of irony in this story? For example, why might the title, "The Lottery," or the opening description in paragraph one, be considered ironic?

5. Jackson gives interesting names to a number of her characters. Explain the possible allusions, irony or symbolism of some of these: Delacroix Graves Summers Bentham Hutchinson Warner Martin

6. Take a close look at Jackson's description of the black wooden box (paragraph 5) and of the black spot on the fatal slip of paper (paragraph 72). What do these objects suggest to you? Why is the black box described as "battered"? Are there any other symbols in the story?

7. What do you understand to be the writer's own attitude toward the lottery and the stoning? Exactly what in the story makes her attitude clear to us?

8. This story was published in 1948, just after World War II. What other cultural or historical events, attitudes, institutions, or rituals might Jackson be satirizing in this story?

What are the THEMES of The Lottery?Ex: a THEME in Harry Pooter might be the desire to fit in and be accepted (Harry was hated by the muggles and almost worshipped in the magic world)

The Lottery: Comprehension Questionsviolence in other With the exception of the final five paragraphs, are there any indications of violence in the life of the village? What might the absence or presence of violence in other aspects of village life indicate, in light of the story's conclusion?

Do you agree with Mrs. Hutchinson is the lottery unfair? How or how not? Her friends and neighbors point out that they all take the same risks in participating.

Are there any clues in the story that might explain how the lottery first started? What might its purpose be? What passages give the reader clues about the origins of this ritual?

Themes:Society vs. Family (whats good for one isnt for the other?)Gender Roles: is there a difference in the way the males and females are treated?Hypocrisy: are the characters in the town behaving two-faced or with double standardsIgnorant (unconscious) Violence: Does the violence occur because of passion or feelings, or is it something else, something creepier?Tradition: What role should tradition play in a society?

Short Story Elements

What is a short story?A brief, imaginative narrative containing few characters, simple plot, conflict, and suspense which leads to a climax and a swift conclusion.Can be read in one sitting

THE 4 ELEMENTS OF THE SHORT STORYPLOTSETTINGCHARACTERTHEME

#1. PLOTThe chain of events in a story.Consists of 6 main ingredients:Introduction/ExpositionInciting incidentRising actionClimaxFalling ActionResolution

PLOT GRAPHAn excellent way to map out a storys plot

IntroductionIntroduces the reader to:SettingBasic situationCharacters involvedNarrative Hook: question or statement that grabs the readers attention(some foreshadowing/symbolism may be found in the introduction)

Inciting IncidentThe first major action in the story that sets the story in motion (gets the ball rolling).

Rising ActionIncidents which carry the plot along. It often includes the following:ForeshadowingFlashbackConflictSuspense

SYMBOLISMWHAT IS SYMBOLISM? symbol= something that stands for something else.

Natural symbols= the sun standing for knowledge shadows for distrust

SYMBOLISMSymbols are much used in short stories. They may be people, objects, or the action itself to symbolize meaning such as death, love, grief.

SYMBOLISMNote: Dont confuse symbol with metaphor or simileJoe is a peacock is a metaphor in which Joe is the subject and peacock is the vehicle.

Joe is like a peacock is a simile

A symbol is based on the vehicle; that is, peacock could symbolize ____???____

FORESHADOWINGA technique for hinting at events that may occur later in the plot.

FORESHADOWING

Pet Cemetery: FORESHADOWING

Pet Cemetery: The Plot why foreshadowing is the key to the story

Uh-Oh!!!

Pet Cemetery: The Plot why foreshadowing is the key to the storyCat diesKid is sadCat buried in cursed cemeteryGuess what? Cat comes back all evilSad, yes, but the kid diesKid buried in cemeteryNow the kid comes back SUPER EVILHappy family, new houseright beside an ancient Indian burial ground

FORESHADOWINGFORESHADOWING

FLASHBACKThe insertion of an earlier event into the time order of a narrative.

ConflictIt is what prevents the main character from getting what he or she wantsThe plot is driven by conflict and it is THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE STORYThere are two types of conflicts: Internal and External

Internal Conflict PERSON VS. SELF

External ConflictPERSON VS. PERSON

External ConflictPERSON VS. SOCIETY

External ConflictPERSON VS.THE ENVIRONMENT

External ConflictPERSON VS. FATE

External ConflictPERSON VS. TECHNOLOGY

External ConflictPERSON VS. THE SUPERNATURAL

SUSPENSEThe feeling of excitement and curiosity that keeps the reader turning the pages; created by making the readers wonder how the conflict will be resolved

Attention Grabbing SentencesExciting, interesting sentences that keep the reader turning the pagesMay leave the reader with questions/wondermentBuilt to create a mood by using:A theme: what does the sentence symbolize? Love? Death? Fate?A genre: does the sentence hint at Horror? Romance? Fantasy?A feeling: does the sentence leave the reader laughing? Creeped-out? Frightened? Excitied?

CLIMAXThe highest point of interest in the story when the character(s) solves his/her strugglesUsually the point of highest emotionThe climax can be SUBJECTIVE (there may be different answers, so you must prove your choice)

FALLING ACTIONThe character completes the action of his/her decision

IRONYWHAT IS IRONY?Irony is a literary technique the writer shows or points out something opposite to what is stated

1. Verbal irony -- saying the opposite of what is meant. Writermay use this method to reveal a characters weaknesses, prejudices, etc. sarcasm

2. Dramatic/Tragic-- reader knows more about the situation than the character -- giving a second meaning for the reader.

3. Situational irony the outcome of the events or story is OPPOSITE of whats expected.

4. Cosmic irony: FATE! -- destiny controls ones fate -- where one has little influence or significance -- a soldier returns from war and is killed in a car accident, etc.

THE RESOLUTIONThe final workings of a storys conflictAll of the loose ends are tied up (usually)

Narrative Twist: a surprise ending:IRONY!!!!!

#2. SETTINGThe time (time of day, season, present, past, future) and the location (country, planet, town, buildings, PLUS a description of the surroundings) where the action occursHelps to create the mood and atmosphere of the text

ATMOSPHEREThe feeling that the setting evokes (i.e. mysterious, happy, eerie)

MOODThe authors emotional attitude toward the subject matter (i.e. excitement, nostalgia)NOT the mood of the characters

#3. CHARACTERsAny personalities who are involved in the plot of the story (people, animals, fantasy characters)Usually less than 6 in a short story

PROTAGONISTUsually the good guy or hero in the storyThe main character that we followThe character that strives to solve the conflict

ANTAGONISTThe bad guy or villain in the storyUsually creates conflict for the main character

SECONDARY CHARACTERSOther characters who are necessary to moving the plot along, but may not be involved with the central conflict

CHARACTER TRAITSPhysical and personality characteristics thatare revealed through:What the character doesWhat the character saysWhat the character thinks and feelsWhat other characters say or do about the characterWhat the author states directlyWhat the author infers

#4. THEMEThe central idea about life that the story highlights; THE MAIN IDEA (universal truths).The message the author is conveying. Determine the specific conflictDecide what side of the conflict the story representsHow is the conflict resolved? Who wins? Who loses?

THEMETheme is NOT the moral of the storyTheme is NOT plotTheme IS the general subject matter of a work of artTheme may contain a message

THEMENot all short stories have a theme; some are just for entertainment or fun

THEME OR NOT A THEME?1) Red Riding Hood is about how you shouldnt trust strangers 2) Stars Wars is a movie about Luke Skywalker 3) Apocalypse Now is about the insanity of war.4) This painting is about loneliness 5) That story is about two guys who steal a car6) Romeo and Juliet is about love7) Romeo and Juliet is about two families fighting8) I saw a movie last night about survival9) Hansel and Gretel is about two children10) Cinderella is about poetic justice

*