A lottery is a form of gambling in which people place bets on numbers or symbols to win a prize. Lotteries are a common way for governments to raise funds for public projects, such as roads or schools. They are also used to award scholarships or sports team draft picks. Many states have legalized lotteries, while others do not.
The story begins with the villagers assembling for the lottery, and Shirley Jackson immediately uses the word “of course” to show readers that they are gathering in this manner because this is how they have always done things. Throughout the rest of the short story, Jackson shows how the villagers blindly follow outdated traditions without question. Those who do question the tradition are seen as crazy or unwavering.
One of the most interesting parts about the story is how the lottery works. Jackson tells the reader that Mr. Summers is the man in charge of the lottery, and he brings out a black box that has been a part of this tradition for a long time.
The villagers are told that the proceeds of the lottery will benefit education. This argument has been used for a number of years to convince the public that lotteries are good for society. However, studies have shown that this is not the case. Lottery revenues are often disproportionately higher in middle-income areas than they are in low-income neighborhoods. Furthermore, the poor tend to play at lower rates than other groups, making it difficult for them to compete with the marketing campaigns of state-run lotteries.