Article-The Lottery
The central theme of the story is the power of tradition. Jackson uses the setting of a village to demonstrate that tradition can be so strong and powerful that it can blind people to reality.
A lottery is a form of gambling in which people purchase chances to win prizes. The winnings are usually money or goods. In modern times, lotteries are often conducted by state governments or national organizations.
In colonial America, public lotteries were common to raise funds for a variety of public projects. These included roads, canals, bridges, schools and colleges. The Continental Congress used lotteries to raise money for the Revolutionary War. Privately organized lotteries were also popular. Some examples include the Academy Lottery of 1744 and the King’s College lottery in 1740.
Many people see purchasing lottery tickets as a low-risk investment. The odds of winning are incredibly slim, but the prize amount can be large enough to meet most people’s financial goals. However, the cost of lottery tickets can add up to thousands in foregone savings if they become a habit.
The word lottery is derived from Middle Dutch, from the phrase lot en geestelijke “drawing lots.” The first recorded lottery in Europe was held in the Low Countries in the 15th century to raise money for town fortifications and to help the poor. It may have been inspired by similar events in Asia, where drawing lots for a gift was an ancient practice.