‘The Lottery’ Essay, Research Paper
The Irony in “The Lottery”
Shirley Jackson wrote the story “The Lottery.” A lottery is typically thought of as
something good because it usually involves winning something such as money or prizes. In
this lottery it is not what they win but it is what is lost. Point of views, situations, and the
title are all ironic to the story “The Lottery.”
The point of view in “The Lottery” is ironic to the outcome. Jackson used third
person dramatic point of view when writing “The Lottery.” The third person dramatic
point of view allowed the author to keep the outcome of the story a surprise. The
outcome is ironic because the readers are led to believe everything is fine because we do
not really know what anyone is thinking. This point of view enables the ending to be
ironic.
The situations in “The Lottery” are ironic. The author’s use of words keeps the
reader thinking that there is nothing wrong and that everyone is fine. The story starts by
describing the day as “clear and sunny”(309). The people of the town are happy and going
on as if it is every other day. The situation where Mrs. Hutchinson is jokingly saying to
Mrs. Delacroix “Clean forgot what day it was”(311) is ironic because something that is so
awful cannot truly be forgotten. At the end of the story when Mrs. Hutchinson is chosen
for the lottery, it is ironic that it does not upset her that she was chosen. She is upset
because of the way she is chosen. She shows this by saying “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (316).
The situation is extremely ironic to the story.
The title of the story “The Lottery” is ironic. By reading the title of the story the
reader may think that someone is going to win something. In actuality when the reader
gets to the end of the story, he finds just the opposite to be true. Jackson shows every day
as if it is any other summer day. Jackson foreshadows the events to come by writing:
School was recently over for the summer . . . Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones; . . . eventually made a pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of other boys. (310)
After reading this, the reader thinks the children are just collecting stones because that is
what children do. They do not expect the outcome to turn out like it does. The title has
the reader believing that something good is going to happen, and will not know any
different until the end of the story.
The point of view, situation, and title all contribute to the irony in the story. These
are all equally important to the irony and without them the story would not have been as
interesting as it was. If these were not included then the story would not be the same and
would not keep the readers’ interest.
Work Cited
Jackson, Shirley. “The lottery” Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. Ed. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. Third Ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1997. 309-16.
Другие работы по теме:
Rape Fantasies Essay Research Paper
“Rape Fantasies” Irony is the use of words to express something different from and opposite to their literal meaning. It is used with tone and style to create humorous situations. There are various forms of irony. Margaret Atwood uses situational irony, dramatic irony, and verbal irony in “Rape Fantasies”.
Beowulf And Irony Essay Research Paper OConnor
Beowulf And Irony Essay, Research Paper O?Connor uses irony in ?Good Country People? to give the reader a better sense of what she is trying to communicate to the reader, and show the meaning
Ironies Of Life Essay Research Paper Ironies
Ironies Of Life Essay, Research Paper Ironies Of Life Irony is a word that has been around in my life since I was six years old. I remember it exactly, the day that the word entered my vocabulary. My mom and I were driving to my grandma?s house and I was reading a ?Calvin and Hobbes? comic from the paper earlier that morning.
The Good Earth Essay Research Paper Each
The Good Earth Essay, Research Paper Each and every novel is filled with an abundance of literary devices. Foreshadowing, metaphors, and similes, just to name a few, assist the author in better expressing his or her work. One of the most effective and powerful literary devices is irony. Irony can be defined as the contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.
A Haunted House Treasures Of Life Essay
, Research Paper A Haunted House: Treasures of Life The short story “A Haunted House” is story with meaning, by portraying to us the treasure of life. When two ghosts are searching through their old house,
Irony And Personification Essay Research Paper The
Irony And Personification Essay, Research Paper The use of irony and personification are techniques that writers often use that may take only a few paragraphs or 5 pages to describe. An event that is frequently used in these short stories to these two methods is death. “The Pardoners Tale”, “The Masque of the Red Death”, and “Appointment in Samarra” are all examples of when an author uses death to fill the reader with wonder and surprise.
The Test Of Salem Essay Research Paper
The Tests of Salem The Crucible is a play, which brings attention to many timeless issues. The nature of good and evil, power and its corruption, honor and integrity and irony are all brought up in Arthur Miller s The Crucible. Irony what doe sit men? Irony means incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs.
Irony Of Macbeth Essay Research Paper IRONY
Irony Of Macbeth Essay, Research Paper IRONY IN MACBETH Shakespeare s play Macbeth portrays much irony. Such as the scene where Macbeth is made to believe that he is supposed to become king when really he is not. Another ironic scene is where Macbeth, on the outside gives the impression that he is trustworthy and loves Duncan, yet on the inside he longs for the death of Duncan.
IRONY The Challenge Of Acting Oscar
Wilde And George Bernard Shaw Essay, Research Paper IRONY the Challenge of Acting Oscar Wilde And George Bernard Shaw Irony is another staple tool of wit in Style acting, and it often seems to come effortlessly to British actors because the British rarely say what they mean. “The speech we hear is an indication of what we don’t hear… One way of looking at speech is to say it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness,” says British playwright Harold Pinter.
Phaedra
– Jean Racine Essay, Research Paper Jean Racine “Phaedra” is filled with irony. It is irony that serves as the faulty foundation for the entire story. There exists great care in following the right social morays. Although nothing physical has transpired between Phaedra and Hippolytus, the idea that one was thinking of the other inappropriately is punishable as if they had carried on in a torrid affair.
The Irony Of The Short Stories
, “The Necklace” And “The Gift Of The Magi” Essay, Research Paper The irony in the short stories, “The Necklace” and “The Gift of the Magi,” ought to be further analyzed. Through examination of this element in literature the reader can derive many morals and themes that could be useful in their own lives. “The Necklace” is a perfect example of irony and sends many powerful messages to the reader.
Literary Terms Essay Research Paper Figurative Language
Literary Terms Essay, Research Paper Figurative Language - Language using figures of speech, such as simile, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism and personification to form imagery is figurative language. It is used to increase shock, novelty, appearance, or illustrative consequences.
Oedipus Rex 2 Essay Research Paper Oedipus
Oedipus Rex 2 Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology. Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles.
Irony A Tale Of Two Cities Essay
, Research Paper Charles Dickens beautifully incorporates the use of many literary devices, irony, allusions, tone, point of view, and many others. He develops the story around a young French woman, Lucie Manette, who has just found her father, Dr. Manette. Dickens uses situations around Lucie and her Father, to integrate the device of irony, which in some cases just turns out to be coincidence.
Passolini Essay Research Paper Passolini
Passolini Essay, Research Paper Passolini’s movie included short tales displaying the irony and humor that take place in Italian religious communities. For example, one tale was about a convent filled with devoted nuns that decided to hire what thought was a poor, deaf, mute man. They hired this man as the gardener for their convent.
Irony In Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Oedipus Rex, by the Greek playwright Sophocles, is, without a doubt, one of the greatest examples of dramatic irony. There are many instances where the audience knows so much more than the main characters, and Sophocles uses irony to point to Oedipus as Laius’ murderer as well. Additionally, Oedipus is most definitely a tragic hero-he had a tragic flaw, namely that he was relentless and often rash in his search for the truth about Laius’ death and his killer; this ultimately lead to Oedipus’ own destruction.
Pride And Prejudice Essay Research Paper A
Pride And Prejudice Essay, Research Paper A consistent and thought provoking novel, Jane Austen s Pride and Prejudice combines irony and wit to provide audiences with a comedic view of human complexity. The first paragraph in this novel consists only of a single sentence, but in the few words used, Austen is able to present a seemly strong and confident statement, only to use clever dialog and description to reveal its irony as the novel unfolds.
Othello Essay Research Paper The play Othello
Othello Essay, Research Paper The play Othello was written be William Shakespeare in the latter years of Shakespeare?s career. Shakespeare composed, revised, and acted in many theatrical performances throughout his life, he also owned the Globe theater where many of his works were performed. The work Othello was based on a story by Giraldi Cinthios, Tale of a Moor, which was a mellow drama about a moor and his doubts about his wife?s fidelity.
Irony In Animal Farm Essay Research Paper
Animal Farm is a classic portrayal of how power can effect the goals and hopes of a society. In this essay, I will explore the irony of Animal Farm, and how it used to satirize communism and dictatorships.
Oedipus 3 Essay Research Paper The Greek
Oedipus 3 Essay, Research Paper The Greek tragedy of Oedipus illustrates dramatic irony through Oedipus’ noble birth which is unknown to him and his fall from the throne due to his fate and excessive pride.
Citizen Kane Essay Research Paper Citizen KaneWhat
Citizen Kane Essay, Research Paper Citizen Kane What makes an excellent movie? Orson Welles starred and produced in the movie Citizen Kane, now known as the greatest movie ever made. Citizen Kane loosely portrays the life of William Randolph Hearst. In the movie, the use of sound, great acting, and irony help make this movie number one.
Othello Essay Research Paper Irony in OthelloOne
Othello Essay, Research Paper Irony in Othello One of the main themes that runs throughout William Shakespeare?s ?Othello? is that of irony. Both verbal irony and dramatic irony are found in the play. This irony is used to show the audience outside views on characters and situations. In Shakespeare?s ?Othello?, irony is present in the lives of Othello, Desdemona, and Iago to further the development of their character and the plot.
Irony In Your Every Day Life Essay
, Research Paper Assignment: Freewrite on the irony in your every day life. Then polish it up and write a paragraph about the irony you encounter. Isn’t That Ironic?
The Story Of An Hour Irony Essay
, Research Paper The Story of An Hour: Irony In Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour,” there is much irony. The first irony detected is in the way that Louise reacts to the news
Oedipus In Greek Mythology Essay Research Paper
Oedipus is a very interesting character in Greek mythology. He encounters many episodes on his journey, escaping the dangers of the prophecy he was told. Oedipus the King us the is quite exciting to the readers because of the dramatic irony Sophocles uses throughout the trilogy. Dramatic irony is when the audience is aware of something that is going to happen in the story, and the charatcer really has no idea.
Dramatic Irony In A Dolls Hous Essay
, Research Paper Dramatic Irony in A Dolls House Irony serves the purpose of accentuating a story, it also adds to its creativity and originality. There are numerous types of
What Is Irony Essay Research Paper Irony
What Is Irony? Essay, Research Paper Irony is a method of assertion used by authors in literature and poetry. Although many writers have employed this literary technique for centuries, the meaning of the word can be difficult to understand. This essay will help to describe the correct meaning of this diverse word and illustrate how it is used.
Irony In Rape Fantasies Essay Research Paper
Irony in “Rape Fantasies” Rape Fantasies, by Margaret Atwood is overflowing with irony. Almost every type of irony is presented in this short story. From verbal to situational to dramatic irony, this story leaves nothing out. The ironic tone adds depth to the plot and makes the short story much more entertaining.
1984 Irony Essay Research Paper THE IRONIES
1984 Irony Essay, Research Paper THE IRONIES OF 1984 The novel 1984, by George Orwell, has many examples of irony throughout it. The two major types of irony: verbal irony and situation irony, are demonstrated again and again in this novel. In the following essay I will discuss these types of ironies and give examples of each from the book.
The Use Of Irony In
“Macbeth” Essay, Research Paper There are many types of irony used in Macbeth. Without the irony, the tragedy would not be quite so tragic. One type of irony used in Macbeth is verbal irony. This is when a character says
Irony In The Canterbury Tales Essay Research
Paper Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising, interesting,or amusing contradictions. 1 Two stories that serve as excellent demonstrations of irony are ?The Pardoners Tale? and
Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper The Irony
Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper The Irony of the Letter ?A? In the book ?The Scarlet Letter? there is plenty of irony. Irony is real important in any book. It?s one of the main components which makes a book come to life. If there was not irony the complexity of a book would not be the same it would be very dull.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper In Sophocles 2
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper In Sophocles? Oedipus Rex, dramatic irony is often present in Oedipus? long speeches. Oedipus constantly sees things incorrectly, and is in denial that he
Ironies In The Novel 1984 George Orwell
Essay, Research Paper ironies in the novel 1984 george Orwell THE IRONIES OF 1984 The novel 1984, by George Orwell, has many examples of ironythroughout it. The two major types of irony: verbal irony and situationirony, are demonstrated again and again in this novel. In the followingessay I will discuss these types of ironies and give examples of each fromthe book.