A review by classical_learner
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

This story is pretty straightforward and emphasizes the pointless cruelty that can emerge from mob mentality and blind tradion—doing awful things simply because that is what always has been done. It encourages the reader to ask if oneself if one has any habitual actions that they ought to re-examine. 
While I sense that this may be tinged with critical social theories, I’d be intrigued to know if Suzanne Collins incorporated its idea of a a drawing day for the lottery into her “reaping day” for the Hunger Games!
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