The Lottery

Shirley Jackson · 1948 · Short Story

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Dystopian Societies & Totalitarian Control

Jackson's short story exposes the chilling banality of evil and the insidious nature of societal control when traditions are followed without question, leading to the ritualistic sacrifice of an individual for the perceived good of the community.

What it is

A seemingly normal village gathers for its annual lottery, which is revealed to be a ritualistic stoning of a randomly chosen member. The story highlights the dangers of blind adherence to tradition and mob mentality.

↑Inherited from

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↓Passed on to(1)

Never Let Me Go· 2005↓ open

Both 'The Lottery' and 'Never Let Me Go' depict societies where individuals are quietly and systematically sacrificed or exploited for the perceived benefit of the larger community, with the victims often accepting their fate due to ingrained societal norms and lack of agency.