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14 December, 21:08

When does Tessie Hutchinson's view of the lottery change from the beginning to the end of the story? Use at least two quotations from the story to support your answer. the lottery by shirley jackson

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  1. 14 December, 21:10
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    I hope it's right!

    Explanation:

    Tessie Hutchinson is a central character in Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery, and one whose transformation during the course of the narrative is closely tracked, albeit for reasons not immediately apparent. A key detail in understanding Tessie's behavior throughout The Lottery is Jackson's emphasis on the legacy of the lottery and, most importantly, the subtle but telling changes that occurred over the years in the process by which the lottery was conducted. Jackson's narration provides meticulous details of the lottery and of the ways in which its conduct has changed with the times. As she notes early in her story, "Because so much of the ritual had been forgotten or discarded, Mr. Summers had been successful in having slips of paper substituted for the chips of wood that had been used for generations." Old Man Warner serves as the conscience of the town with respect to the traditions and customs associated with the lottery, noting disdainfully how other villages have discontinued the ritual: "Nothing but trouble in that," Old Man Warner said stoutly. "Pack of young fools."

    Tessie Hutchinson, initially, appears to have had no reservations about the changes in the process that have transpired over the years. In fact, Jackson emphasizes her nonchalant acceptance of this annual ritual:

    "Just as Mr. Summers finally left off talking and turned to the assembled villagers, Mrs. Hutchinson came hurriedly along the path to the square, her sweater thrown over her shoulders, and slid into place in the back of the crowd. 'Clean forgot what day it was,' she said to Mrs. Delacroix, who stood next to her, and they both laughed softly. 'Thought my old man was out back stacking wood,' Mrs. Hutchinson went on. 'and then I looked out the window and the kids was gone, and then I remembered it was the twentyseventh and came a-running.' She dried her hands on her apron, and Mrs. Delacroix said, 'You're in time, though. They're still talking away up there'."

    And then, for good measure:

    "'Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Tessie.' Mrs. Hutchinson said. grinning, "'ouldn't have me leave m'dishes in the sink, now, would you. Joe?,' and soft laughter ran through the crowd as the people stirred back into position after Mrs. Hutchinson's arrival."

    The Hutchinson family, Tessie, her husband Bill, and their three children, Bill, Jr., Nancy and Dave, are all a part of this annual process, and they indicate no reservations about their participation, Tessie good-naturedly prompting her husband to do his part when summoned to the center of the square: "'Get up there, Bill,' Mrs. Hutchinson said, and the people near her laughed."

    The transformation in Tessie's demeanor, however, begins immediately when her family's role takes center stage, and it is here where Jackson's emphasis on the changes that have occurred in the lottery's conduct assume greater importance. Before, Tessie has exhibited no reservations about these changes, accepting them without comment or concern. Now, however, with the lottery's ramifications inching closer to her family, she becomes increasingly nervous and, for the first time, concerned about those heretofore irrelevant transformations in the process. Responding to Bill's selection of a slip of paper from the box that apparently bodes ill ...
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