Question

What is the setting in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”? How is the atmosphere established? What is the time period, and how can you tell?

Please answer in full detail.

Answer 1

The setting is a small, nondescript town with a population of approximately three hundred people. On a clear morning, June 27th, the townspeople, starting with the children, begin to assemble for the lottery to begin at ten in the morning.The time of day is set in the morning and the time of year is early summer. She also describes that school has just recently let out for summer break, letting the reader infer that the time of year is early summer.The setting evokes a pleasant mood. However, Jackson uses irony to create a surprise ending that leaves a lasting impact on a reader. While the setting and mood make the lottery seem like a happy occurrence, in reality, the opposite is true. The winner of the lottery is stoned to death by the townspeople.The Lottery In many stories, settings are constructed to help build the mood and to foreshadow of things to come. ... To begin, Shirley Jackson tells the reader what time of day and what time of year the story takes place. This is important to get the reader to focus on what a typical day it is in this small town.