"The Lottery" by: Shirley Jackson

Today, lotteries are seen as something which should be looked forward to and are seen as positive. What's not good about winning loads of money? For this reason, when seeing the title of "The Lottery," the reader expects an excited and happy reaction when the winner of the "lottery" is revealed. Much to their surprise, Mrs. Hutchinson is very unhappy and distraught over her family winning the "lottery." All she can say is "It isn't fair, it isn't right." The reader realizes that the "lottery" is not winning money, but instead winning a horrible death for no reason at all other than because it is tradition. This is far from what is suggested by the title. Just as the title suggests no peril or death, the people convey this type of attitude. They have no remorse or hesitation is "rewarding" Mrs. Hutchinson with her prize. It almost seems that they show the same level of enthusiasm as a person would in presenting the winner of a lottery today with a big check.