a game in which numbers are drawn at random to determine a winner. Most lotteries are financial, with participants paying a small amount for the chance to win a large sum of money. Others are used to award limited goods or services, such as units in a subsidized housing block or kindergarten placements at a reputable public school.
Many state governments organize and conduct their own lottery games, using the proceeds for a variety of purposes. Some lotteries are state-controlled; others are privately run by private businesses, such as convenience store chains or the operators of horse racing tracks. In any case, state officials typically establish the game’s governing structure by creating a lottery board and granting it a monopoly in exchange for a guaranteed stream of revenue.
Once the monopoly is established, officials usually start with a modest number of relatively simple games. However, as pressure for additional revenues increases, officials usually expand the lottery’s offerings by adding new games. Despite this expansion, revenue often decreases over time due to increased competition, reducing the overall value of the prize pool.
One of the main themes in Shirley Jackson’s story is that people should not accept tradition unless it is morally right. She also criticizes democracy, showing that it can turn on its citizens. In addition, she illustrates how evil can occur even in a small and peaceful-looking place. This story reflects the concerns of post-World War II era, including the dangers of conformity and unthinking adherence to authority.
