"The Lottery"� Shirley Jackson uses several literary elements to show why authority should be questioned and not taken for granite throughout the short story "The Lottery."� Jackson uses the litearay elements irony, color, and point of view throughout the short story to demonstrate how authority should be questioned.
Irony is used throughout the short story to demonstrate why authority should be questioned. On page 63, Mr. Adams questions Old Man Warner about the purpose of the lottery explaining that in the other village, the lottery is no longer in effect. Without a reasonable explanation, Old Man Warner shuts down Mr. Adams who obviously does not believe in the lottery. If Mr. Adams would push the issue more, Mrs. Hutchinson possibly would not of been brutally murdered for no reason along with many other people in future lotteries. This comment is ironic because people are afraid to put a stop to something that is obviously injustice to society simply because people are afraid to question authority and tradition.
Shirley Jackson
Five Stories (short story collection)
Jackson ParkOn page 64, Mrs. Hutchinson yell's to some other citizen's stating, "Make them take their chance!"� This comment is ironic because she is the one later chosen to die by stones thrown at her from the very people that she is yelling at. Mrs. Hutchinson's death could have easily been prevented if someone, anyone had the guts to stand up for what they feel is right and justice.
Jackson uses colors to portray the mood of the story by frequently using the color black. The black box is tradition for the small town this story was based in, the citizens were afraid to question authority and get the box cleaned up, "but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box"æthe box...