A lottery is a gambling game in which a large number of tickets are sold for a chance to win certain prizes. Its most familiar form involves selling chances on a series of numbers or symbols, which are then drawn at random to determine the winner(s). Lotteries are often conducted for public charitable or social purposes. They are very popular with the public and have wide appeal because they involve a relatively low cost to participants, as most expenses—profits for the promoter, the costs of advertising and promotion, and taxes or other revenues—are deducted from the total prize pool.
In the story, the town’s people are in an excited but nervous mood on June 27, which is the date of the annual lottery. They are piling stones as they assemble, following an old proverb that says “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.” The event is so important to them that it seems like God’s will. They even have a child whose name, Dickie Delacroix, means the cross (Jackson 1). The fact that his last name is the same as that of Jesus on the cross is ironic because the lottery tradition is anything but holy.
Although the lottery has broad appeal and is a popular method of raising money, it is also controversial because it has the potential to cause social problems. The most obvious concern is that it contributes to economic inequality, as the winnings are distributed among a group of people who have a very high probability of purchasing a ticket. In addition, it is an extremely addictive activity. Approximately 50 percent of Americans buy a ticket at least once a year, and the percentage is even higher for those who play regularly. The players are disproportionately lower-income, less educated, and nonwhite.
Moreover, the way the lottery is conducted undermines morals and ethics. Jackson portrays the events of the lottery in a friendly and casual manner, which misleads the reader into thinking that the lottery is not as evil as it actually is.
The events of the story show that humans are very manipulative and dishonest in nature. They squabble with one another, but they do so in a friendly and relaxed setting. They greet each other, exchange gossip, and treat each other in a very casual way. They even go out to dinner together and gamble without feeling any guilt. This is because they do not think that their actions are wrong or even bad.
The story of the lottery is a reminder that human beings can do horrible things in a seemingly friendly and casual atmosphere. People should always think about the consequences of their actions before making a decision. They should weigh the disutility of a monetary loss against the expected utility of entertainment or other non-monetary benefits to determine if an action is rational. This will prevent them from doing something they regret in the future. For example, if they have the opportunity to make a million dollars in the lottery and have a good time with their friends while doing so, it is likely that they will do it regardless of whether it is ethical or not.
