In most stories that I have read, the settings are assembled to build the mood of what is to come. In "The Lottery" the setting sets the reader up to believe that there will be a positive outcome. Yet, the description that Shirley Jackson gave us was the opposite of what was to come.
             The author does an excellent job of getting the reader focused on what type of day it is when the story is taking place. We can infer that it is early summer when she describes that school had recently let out for summer break. The beauty of the day and radiance of nature provides a positive outlook and allows the reader to believe it is a comfortable setting for the story. The description of the people and they're actions seem very emblematic of how people in a small town would act, and not so strange. This detail makes the story more believable. Jackson vividly assembles the many pleasant details creating a facade with the story. I was unsuspecting when the shocking tradition was exposed.
             The people of the village had been taught to believe that in order for their crop to be abundant for the year, some individual had to be sacrificed. Reading, "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon", makes us believe that the farmers trusted the ritual to bring a better harvest. It seems to be obvious that the tradition is very popular in this small village. The people of the village had been taught to believe that in order for their crop to be abundant for the year, some individual had to be sacrificed.
             The symbolism found in the black box is a key point in understanding the importance of tradition in the theme of the story. The introduction of the black box into the story changes the mood and atmosphere of the crowd of people. The reason is that the box is what holds the key between life and death for each and every one of them. The black box represents all the evil acts executed in the past and the ones to come. Even the color of the b...