Submitted By: Rehana Sultana
Profession/Background: High School English Teacher & Passion For Exploring Human Psychology
Book Title: The Lottery
Author: Shirley Jackson
Before reading the Book:
Before I read “The Lottery“, my world was very black and white. As someone who spent years teaching literature, I always thought I understood the difference between right and wrong, tradition and cruelty, and the role of society in shaping personal decisions. I believed that most classic short stories were simply moral tales with clear lessons—good is rewarded, evil is punished, and society always progresses for the better. I used to encourage my students to analyze texts based on character motivations and plot structure, but rarely did I ask them to question the systems that governed the worlds of these stories.
My understanding of the word “tradition” was always positive. To me, it meant family customs, national holidays, religious rituals, and the stories our grandparents passed down. I never once paused to ask: What if some traditions need to die?
Discovering the Book That Changed Everything:
It was an ordinary Tuesday afternoon when I stumbled across “The Lottery“. I wasn’t looking for something deep—just a short story to include in my upcoming term’s syllabus. I had heard of Shirley Jackson before, mostly in the context of gothic literature, but I hadn’t read any of her work. Something about the title intrigued me. “The Lottery“—it sounded harmless, maybe even cheerful. I expected a simple tale, maybe about chance, luck, or even a twist of fate.
I printed out the PDF version and sat down with a cup of tea, expecting to skim through it in twenty minutes.
What unfolded in the next few pages unsettled me more than any book I’d read in years.
After the Book:
I sat there, stunned. The last line echoed in my head like a warning bell that wouldn’t stop ringing. I reread the story three more times that day. Each time, I noticed something new—the casual cruelty, the ordinary tone, the blind acceptance by every character. What terrified me wasn’t the violence at the end—it was the normalcy of it all. How Jackson crafted a tale where horror bloomed in the middle of sunshine and children’s laughter was nothing short of genius.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how willingly the villagers accepted something so barbaric. No one questioned it. No one dared to resist. Even those who felt uneasy went along with it because, well… it’s just what they do every year. It hit too close to home. I began to see shadows of this story in real life—how often people go along with systems, rules, and traditions simply because “it’s always been done this way.”
The Transformation:
Reading “The Lottery” changed how I view society, education, and even myself. I started questioning things I had never thought to question. Why do we accept certain norms? What would I do if I lived in that village? Would I have protested, or would I have picked up a stone?
In my classroom, I began teaching literature differently. I encouraged my students to ask deeper, uncomfortable questions. When we discussed “The Lottery“, I didn’t ask them about the plot or symbolism first—I asked, “What would you have done?” The conversation that followed was one of the most powerful I’ve ever had with students. Some admitted they would have followed the crowd, and that honest reflection opened up a much-needed discussion about peer pressure, cultural norms, and moral courage.
In my personal life, I started examining the traditions I follow—why I follow them, who they hurt, and who they serve. It’s made me more mindful, more critical, and more compassionate.
My Favorite Line & How It Helps Me Every Day:
“Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones.”
This line haunts me, but in a good way. It reminds me daily that people can forget the meaning of their actions but still carry them out blindly. It’s a reminder to always pause and question—Why am I doing this? What purpose does this serve? It keeps me alert in both personal and professional decisions and helps me avoid being a passive participant in potentially harmful practices.
To Anyone Considering This Book:
Don’t let the short length fool you. “The Lottery” is one of those rare stories that grabs your spine and refuses to let go. It will challenge your assumptions, make you uncomfortable, and force you to look at your own world a little differently.
Read it slowly. Don’t rush. Let the setting lull you into a false sense of security, and then brace yourself for the emotional punch. This story isn’t just about a fictional village—it’s about all of us. Our towns, our traditions, our silences.
If you’re brave enough to confront the darker corners of human nature—and your own conscience—then “The Lottery” is waiting for you.