Oehlschlaeger, Fritz.

“The stoning of Mistress Hutchinson: meaning and context in The

lottery.” Essays in Literature Vol. 15 Issue 2 (Fall 1988): 259-65. Literary Reference
Center Plus. Web. 21 Jan. 2011

In this Essay Fritz Oehlschlaeger weaves connections between Shirley Jackson’s own
works and that of other notable authors’. An underlying theme of malcontent with
predominant gender roles is exposed in “The Lottery”. This essay leads one to believe
that much of Jackson’s thematic inspiration for Tessie Hutchinson’s character came from
other stories such as an account in the Gospel of St. John, in which Jesus frees a woman
accused of adultery or Anne Hutchinson’s character in “The Scarlet Letter,” by Nathanial
Hawthorne. These interesting correlations as well as others made in this essay make for
an interesting dive into the psyche behind “The Lottery,” and Shirley Jacksons impetus to
expose society in general as a system where woman turn on each other for all the wrong
reasons. Ultimately, Oehlschlaeger helps one see Shirley Jackson as a messenger who is
tired of a society where woman suffer the brunt of sexual oppression and social injustice.

Nebeker, Helen.

This is an ambitious essay which attempts to uncover the deepest of underlying messages in “The
Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Scrupulous attention to detail reveals that many of the characters names
have roots which are infused with meaning. Attempts to tie the black box and a 3 legged stool to Judeo
Christian themes has merit however Nebeker’s attempt to make it a focal point of the story is
unconvincing. This essay goes beyond objective speculation and makes the supposition that biblical
accounts are myths; it is a stretch to add that as one of Jackson’s story telling objectives. The premise
that all details of “The Lottery,” are profoundly important is not convincing. Hiding important messages
in what many perceive as a mostly dull story is hardly a good form of communication. Unveiling all the
tedious symbols of a very tedious story seems exactly that.

This essay provides some historical context for the lottery. “The Lottery,” was written shortly after
WWII. It helps one to form a connection between the small town Shirley Jackson lived in and the one
she wrote about. Tessie Hutchinson was unconcerned about the lottery until her family’s name was
picked. Did United States Citizens largely ignore what was happening in Europe until they were
affected? This essay examines what were likely some of Jackson’s underlying motives for writing “The
Lottery,” without becoming too assertive or speculative.