The significance of Tessie’s repeated exclamations that the lottery is unfair

Sample Solution

The Lottery

• The significance of the narrator’s description of the black box

The narrator's description of the black box is significant because it highlights the importance of tradition in the town. The box is old and worn, but it is still used for the lottery. This suggests that the lottery is a very important tradition to the townspeople, and they are unwilling to change it, even though it is clear that the lottery is cruel and unjust.

The black box is also significant because it is the source of the slips of paper that are drawn to determine who will be stoned to death. This suggests that the lottery is a random event, and that anyone could be chosen, regardless of their age, gender, or social status. This randomness adds to the sense of terror and suspense in the story.

Full Answer Section

• The significance of Tessie’s repeated exclamations that the lottery is unfair

Tessie's repeated exclamations that the lottery is unfair are significant because they challenge the townspeople's blind acceptance of tradition. Tessie is the only one who dares to speak out against the lottery, and her words highlight the injustice of the ritual.

Tessie's challenge is ultimately unsuccessful, as she is stoned to death by the townspeople. However, her words remain a powerful reminder of the dangers of blind conformity and the importance of questioning authority.

• Why do you think Jackson composed this story? What was she trying to say about American culture?

Shirley Jackson wrote "The Lottery" in 1948, a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. The story can be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of conformity and the importance of individual thought.

The lottery is a ritual that is blindly accepted by the townspeople. No one questions why it is done, or who is chosen to be stoned to death. This suggests that the townspeople are willing to give up their individuality and freedom in order to conform to the group.

Tessie's challenge to the lottery is ultimately unsuccessful, but her words remain a powerful reminder of the dangers of blind conformity. Jackson's story suggests that it is important to think for ourselves and to question authority, even if it means going against the crowd.

Rocket Night

• The significance of the fourth paragraph

The fourth paragraph of "Rocket Night" is significant because it introduces the idea of sacrifice. The narrator describes how the victims are chosen by lottery, and how they are then taken to a remote location and killed. This suggests that the victims are being sacrificed for the good of the community.

The idea of sacrifice is further explored in the rest of the story. The narrator describes how the victims are killed in a variety of ways, and how their bodies are then burned. This suggests that the victims are being ritually cleansed, and that their deaths are necessary to ensure the safety of the community.

• What kind of victims are chosen and how are they chosen?

The victims of the lottery in "Rocket Night" are people who are considered to be outsiders or threats to the community. They are chosen by lottery, which suggests that their deaths are random and arbitrary.

The victims in "Rocket Night" are similar to the victims in "The Lottery" in that they are chosen for arbitrary reasons. However, the victims in "Rocket Night" are also seen as threats to the community, which adds an extra layer of terror to the story.

• What do you think Weinstein is trying to say with this story?

Weinstein is trying to say that there is a dark side to human nature that can be unleashed when people are afraid. The lottery in "Rocket Night" is a way for the community to purge itself of its fears and insecurities.

The story also suggests that the desire for safety can lead to violence and cruelty. The townspeople in "Rocket Night" are willing to sacrifice innocent people in order to feel safe. This suggests that the desire for safety can be a powerful force that can lead people to do terrible things.