The Lottery: Essay Topics

1. Symbolism of the Black Box:

Discuss how the black box functions as a symbol in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery. How does its physical description and role in the ritual reflect the themes of decay, resistance to change, and the persistence of outdated traditions?

2. The Role of Community and Conformity:
Analyze the role of conformity (prioritizing fitting in and following rules over other values) in the villagers’ participation in the lottery. How does Jackson portray the tension between individual morality and community expectations?

To thrive in either of these topics, you must answer the question and explain why it's important. In topic one - if you were to find good examples that reflect the topic, perhaps in the conclusion or at the end of your body paragraph you might discuss why it is in our nature to persist in outdated traditions. In topic two - you might speculate why we prioritize the community over ourselves, why we value "fitting in" so much, that we may cross moral boundaries in order to do so.