The Beast Within, Part...3, I Think? (p 272, Question 6)

Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" paints a rather grim picture of human nature. The idea of human sacrifice immediately conjures up an image of primitivism and savagery. Coupled with the presented superstitious adage of "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon" (p 268), the plot of such a lottery to pick a human to stone to death would be expected to occur in an ancient or primitive society. Yet this is not the case in "The Lottery;" instead, this atrocious tradition takes place within a relatively modern society, as indicated by conversation concerning "tractors and taxes" (p 264). By setting her tale in a modern village, Jackson alters the tone of her story from grim to morbidly startling. Yet in doing so, Jackson makes a candidly critical observation about human nature. The possibility of such a savage tradition occurring in a modern world emphasizes that savagery did not occur in ancient times simply because technology was primitive at the time. Instead, Jackson argues, the event emphasizes the primitive, savage human nature within us all. Despite our great advances in civilization, our own nature and society still thrives off of savagery.