"the Lottery" Questions

“The Lottery” Questions Answer the following questions.

Name Date

1. What kind of mood does Jackson create in the first paragraph? Write down the details and words from the paragraph that helps to convey this mood.

2. How does the mood shift in the second and third paragraph? Write down the details and words that reflect this shift.

3. What details suggest that the lottery is an extremely important event in the town?

4. How does Jackson create suspense early on in the story?

5. What seems to have been the original purpose of the lottery? Consider the saying: “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.” (Think about old traditions)

6. Who are the following people and what are their roles in the story? How might their names be symbolic or ironic? • Mr. Summers:

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Mr. Graves:

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Old Man Warner:

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Mrs. Delacroix:

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Mr. Adams:

7. What is the significance of Tessie’s final scream, “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right?” What aspect of the lottery does she explicitly challenge, and which aspect goes unquestioned?

8. Is there any foreshadowing in the beginning of the story that reveals what is to come at the end? If so, write the examples down.

9. From what point of view is this story written? (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) What is the narrator’s tone? How does the narrator’s tone affect our reading?

10. What do you suppose could be some themes of this story? Remember that a theme is what the author wants to reveal about a certain subject.

11. Is Jackson’s story an accurate portrayal of society? Agree Disagree Somewhat Disagree Give two reasons for your answer.

Disagree

(choose one)