The Dark Side of the Lottery
The lottery is a popular game where players attempt to win a prize by picking a combination of numbers. It is a form of gambling that contributes billions of dollars to state coffers each year. However, it has a dark side that is not always obvious. In this article, we will explore the nature of the lottery and the ways in which it exploits people. We will also discuss how to avoid being a victim of this dangerous practice.
Lotteries have a long history, from Moses’s census of Israel to the Roman Saturnalia, where lotteries were used to give away property and slaves. In colonial America, they were often a means of raising money for town fortifications and public projects. But they also became a way for politicians to evade taxation. Since voters generally resented the idea of either hiking taxes or cutting services, states turned to the lottery for an easy revenue source.
A surprisingly large number of states have lotteries. And a remarkable number of those lotteries have super-sized jackpots. These jackpots boost ticket sales, earning the games free publicity on news sites and newscasts. But the chances of winning are incredibly low, making the jackpots a form of gambling that appeals to people’s irrational urges.
In many ways, the lottery is a reflection of human greed and insanity. It is not only about the money, but it is also about power and control. Those who win the lottery often feel that they deserve the prize, regardless of how it was won. Others feel that it is a right of passage to become wealthy.
Another aspect of the lottery that is revealing is the way in which it can be used to perpetuate racism and other forms of prejudice. For example, the story of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery is a perfect illustration of this phenomenon. The story takes place in a remote American village where traditions and customs dominate the local population. The villagers blindly follow these traditions without questioning their validity.
One way to analyze this short story is by examining the different methods of characterization used by the author. Besides the setting, the character’s actions and general behavior are among the most important factors that define them. For instance, Mrs. Delacroix is portrayed as a determined woman who is not willing to be taken advantage of. Her action of picking a big rock expresses this. Similarly, Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves are characterized by their ruthlessness.