The lottery is a form of gambling wherein numbers are drawn at random for the chance to win a prize. Some governments outlaw it while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a state or national lottery. While some people may not see the merits of this form of gambling, most people are aware that the odds against winning are astronomical.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a short story about an annual tradition in a village. It is a story about how blindly following traditions can be detrimental to human beings. Throughout the story, the characters treat each other poorly and even abuse each other, all in compliance with their traditional norms. The ending of the story shows that human evil is eternal, and it will continue to persist despite oppressive cultures deeming hopes of liberalization as hopeless.
During the initial reading of the story, the reader is introduced to the setting of the lottery by Mr. Summers. He is a man who represents authority and carries out the lottery proceedings. He stirs up the papers in a black box, and as he does so, it is obvious that this has been an ongoing tradition for a long time. It is also clear that the villagers have no idea why they participate in the lottery.