45 pages 1 hour read

Shirley Jackson

The Lottery

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1948

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Essay Topics

1.

How does the author create a feeling of suspense or dread? Give examples.

2.

The Lottery offended many readers on its first publication. Explain why the story was controversial. Do you agree? If yes, explain why. If not, defend the story with a rebuttal

3.

Little Davy Hutchinson receives a small handful of stones. Why? Given the purpose of the lottery, was this a proper thing to do? Defend your view.