The Lottery

What is the deeper meaning of the black box in The Lottery?

• a) It represents the villagers’ unity and harmony.

• b) It symbolizes the tradition of the lottery, despite its outdated and sinister nature.

• c) It signifies the wealth and prosperity of the villages

• d) It denotes the villagers' hope for a better future.

How does the condition of the black box reflect the villagers' attitudes towards the lottery?

• a) The new, pristine condition of the box shows their enthusiasm for the lottery.

• b) The worn, shabby condition of the box symbolizes their reluctance to change the tradition.

• c) The box's condition indicates that the villagers do not care about the lottery.

• d) The box’s condition represents the villagers’ increasing excitement about the lottery.

Why are the villagers reluctant to replace the black box?

• a) They believe it has magical properties that will ensure their safety.

• b) They are attached to the box as a symbol of their heritage and tradition.

• c) They think replacing it would cause the lottery to lose its effectiveness.

• d) They simply cannot afford a new one.

How does Jackson use irony to create tension throughout the story?

• a) By making the villagers eager to participate in the lottery.

• b) By contrasting the seemingly pleasant community gathering with the horrific outcome.

• c) By showing the lottery as a joyful event for everyone involved.

• d) By having the lottery results always lead to positive outcomes.

In what way does the friendly tone and casual gathering at the beginning of the story contrast with the violent outcome?

• a) The casual tone highlights the villagers' indifference to the lottery's purpose.

• b) The friendly gathering makes the eventual violence seem less shocking and more surprising.

• c) The friendly tone foreshadows the violence that will occur.

• d) The contrast emphasizes the villagers’ excitement about the lottery.

Why is it ironic that Tessie Hutchinson, who protests the fairness of the lottery, is ultimately chosen?

• a) Because she had previously supported the lottery and now turns against it.

• b) Because she was the only one who had not participated in the lottery before.

• c) Because her protest shows that she was in favor of the lottery all along.

• d) Because her protest highlights the inherent unfairness of the lottery system itself.

What aspects of the lottery process are left unexplained or ambiguous?

• a) The exact date and history of the lottery's inception.

• b) The precise selection criteria for the lottery winners.

• c) The specific methods of how the lottery's outcome is determined.

• d) The reasons for the villagers' acceptance of the lottery tradition.

How does the uncertainty about the origins and purpose of the lottery add complexity to the villagers' blind adherence to it?

• a) It shows that the villagers do not care about the lottery's origins.

• b) It suggests that the lottery is an important and unchangeable tradition despite its mysterious beginnings.

• c) It implies that the villagers actively seek out information about the lottery's history.

• d) It indicates that the lottery was recently introduced and is still being debated.

What hints or clues does Jackson provide earlier in the story that foreshadow the dark outcome?

• a) The villagers’ nervous laughter and uneasy behavior.

• b) The children’s excitement about collecting stones.

• c) The presence of the black box and its condition.

• d) The weather conditions on the day of the lottery.

How does the scene with the children gathering stones complicate the reader’s perception of innocence and tradition in the story?

• a) It shows that children are excited to participate in the tradition.

• b) It highlights the transition from innocence to the realization of the violent purpose of the stones.

• c) It makes the tradition appear less serious and more playful.

• d) It implies that the stones are a symbol of peace and prosperity.