Introduction
The Lottery is a story written by Shirley Jackson, which has captivated readers worldwide with its compelling narrative and unsettling thematic undercurrents. The story delves into a community that, on the surface, seems ordinary but is revealed to harbor a violent tradition. The stones are an often overlooked symbol, a potent element within the narrative. The seemingly innocuous stones gradually reveal the horrific depth of the lottery’s consequences, symbolizing the collective violence and unquestioned adherence to tradition within the community.
The Innocent Gathering of Stones
The stones first appear early in the story, and they seem harmless at this point since children playfully gather them. Jackson states, “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones” (1). Yet, they forebode the looming violence, symbolizing the society’s indoctrination of its young members into its problematic traditions. The stones initially signify innocent child’s play, but they become a reminder of how societal conditioning can embed violent norms into the youngest members. The subtle transition from innocence to complicity mirrors the community’s apparent normality, hiding a deeply unsettling tradition. Thus, the stones’ transformation showcases the children’s early indoctrination, which amplifies the horror of society’s acceptance of lottery violence.
Stones as Instruments of Ritual
As the story unfolds, the stone’s symbolic value gains more weight. The author states, “The pile of stones the boys had made earlier was ready; there were stones on the ground with the blowing scraps of paper that had come out of the box” (Jackson 8). The stones are directly associated with the lottery, indicating their key role in the ritual. The stones, objects of mundane simplicity, represent the community’s collective responsibility for the lottery’s cruel outcome. As the lottery’s climax approaches, it becomes more evident that the stones aren’t just associated with the ritual but directly participate in it. They metamorphose from symbols of collective responsibility into actual agents of communal violence, emphasizing the terrifying reality of what the community’s adherence to tradition entails.
The Climax of Violence
Lastly, the stones represent the horrifying climax of the story. Tessie Hutchinson, the unfortunate lottery ‘winner,’ is pelted with stones by the villagers. Jackson writes, “A stone hit her on the side of the head” (8). This line transforms the stones into instruments of violence, symbolizing the community’s blind adherence to tradition, even when it necessitates an act as violent as stoning. In the end, the stones ceased to be simple natural objects and instead personified the brutal outcome of the lottery. This transformation emphasizes the story’s critique of traditionalism and the potential for such practices to incite violent and inhumane actions within seemingly ordinary societies. Their role as tools of execution illuminates the inherent danger in blindly following rituals, especially when they sanction violence and cruelty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, stones embody collective violence and unquestioned tradition within the community. This evocative symbol underscores the chilling reality of society, reminding readers of humanity’s potential for cruelty under the guise of tradition. As this analysis demonstrates, symbols in literature can effectively convey complex themes and societal critiques. While stones within the story represent collective violence and tradition, they provoke contemplation about the broader human tendency to adhere to harmful traditions as well. The given symbolic interpretation invites the readers to question the traditions they themselves uphold and to consider their implications critically.
Work Cited
Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery. The Creative Company, 2008.