A lottery is a system in which prizes are awarded by drawing lots. Prizes are usually money, though other goods and services may be offered. The lottery is an important form of gambling in many countries, and is regulated by government laws. Some lotteries award a single large prize, while others offer multiple small prizes. The first recorded lotteries were held in the Low Countries in the 15th century, to raise funds for town fortifications and help the poor.
In the short story The Lottery, Shirley Jackson takes place in a rural village, where traditions and customs dominate life. She portrays a small-town atmosphere to show that evil can happen in seemingly peaceful places. The setting of the story also reflects the idea that people should stand up for themselves when they believe something is not right. The villagers in this story do not even protest when the lottery turns against Tessie Hutchinson, and this shows that not everyone should accept the decisions of the majority.
The people in this story are participating in a very dangerous game, one that relies entirely on chance. They have all come to realize that the odds are against them, but they keep playing anyway because they believe that a miracle will happen and their lives will change. This is similar to how some people play the lottery, buying tickets for every drawing and spending more money than they could afford to lose in case their numbers are drawn.
