Tessie Hutchinson example essay topic

A. 1) The tone, mood or atmosphere in the story begins with that of happiness and euphoria, by setting us up with a wonderful day that most everyone would enjoy. (Quote: "The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day... ". [pg 147]) However, later on in the story, it takes a different tone, and by the very end the tone is that of panic, disdain and fear. (Quote: " 'It isn't fair, it isn't right,' Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her". [pg 155]) 2) The conflict in this story is person versus environment (society) And to a lesser extent, person versus person. (Quotes: "I tell you it wasn't fair, you didn't give him time enough to chose. Everybody saw that". [pg 154] " 'Be a good sport, Tessie,' Mrs. Delacroix called, and Mrs' Graves said", 'All of us took the same chance. ' " [pg 153]) 3) The point of view is semi-omniscient.

4) One example of foreshadowing in this story is when Tessie is late to the draw and everyone is picking on her, this shows you that she is more of a main character and that she is going to come up later in the story. (Quote: "She came hurriedly into the square... ' Clean forgot what day it was' " [pg 150]) Another example is when she gets picked the for the first draw, this again shows us that she is going to come up later in the story again with an important part. And it also re-assures us that the previous foreshadowing was true. (Quote: "People began to look around to see the Hutchinson. Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand, suddenly Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mrs. Summers.

'You didn't give him enough time to take any paper he wanted, I saw you, it wasn't fair. ' " [pg 153]"5) The situational irony in the story is that in the beginning a fun filled happy day with a fun contest is expected and what actually occurs is something barbaric and murderous. (Quotes: "They stood together away from the pile of stones in the corner and their jokes were quiet... ". [pg 148] "Tessie Hutchinson was in the middle of a clear spot by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her, 'It isn't fair,' she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head... ". [pg 155]) 6) The lottery itself is symbolic of the paradox of the human psyche between compassion on one hand and the thirst for violence on the other. An example of this is when the children are enjoying a break from school, playing and being children, and suddenly they are being joined by adults stoning a mother to death. It appears that this tradition has blinded these people, making them unable to think of a reason why this possibly should not be happening.

(Quotes: "Bobbie Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones and the other boys soon followed his example selecting the smoothest and roundest stones". [pg 147] "The pile of stones the boys had made earlier was ready. Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, she held her hands up desperately as the villagers moved in on her, 'It isn't fair,' she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head... ". [pg 155]) B. Journal Entry: 1) A supporter of the lottery, Old Man Warner Dear Diary, Well, today the lottery was conducted, we got rid of Tessie Hutchinson. A pity really, but it was for the best. She put up a bit of a fight though, don't know why, I have been play in' this for years, and I have not complained once. Oh well, shut her up good.

And another thing too, Mrs. Adams tells me that there are some other towns who have gotten rid of the lottery all together! Pack of crazy fools I tells ya! ... H, where does Mrs. Adams get this information? What is she doing hanging out with those non-believing pagan scum wads? Maybe we should stone her too, just to be safe...

-Old Man Warner works cited: Inside Stories 2, 'The Lottery' pg 147.