Summary

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson tells the story of a village which organises an annual lottery, a tradition which seems to exist in other places as well. It is summer, and all the villagers gather to draw tickets in the village square. While waiting for the lottery to begin, the children gather stones. Meanwhile, the men joke and the women of the village gossip.

The lottery is organised by Mr. Summers, who runs the coal business. Mr Summers arrives in the square carrying a black wooden box. He is helped by Mr Graves, the postmaster. Mr Graves puts a stool in the centre of the square, and Mrs Summers places the box on top of it.  The box is old and has been stored in various places in the town over the years. Although Mr ...