The Lottery Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines tradition as, an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) and the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. If we are to go by the latter definition , we can understand how traditions are easily lost. Have you ever played the game telephone? …showed first 75 words of 2084 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2084 total…The Lottery it is evident that something very strange is going on in the tiny little village. Shirley Jackson uses an abundance of foreshadowing which indicates, to a degree, what is about to happen to the winner of the lottery drawing. There is at least one indicator within each individual paragraph, which lets the reader know that the lottery is sinister, and that the people of the town are not looking forward to it's commencement.