Exploring Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery": Tessie Hutchinson's Fate

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Introduction

Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" unfolds in a small town where an annual ritual, the lottery, takes place. As the story progresses, Tessie Hutchinson emerges as a central character, facing a cruel fate. This essay delves into the complexities of Tessie's character, exploring her tardiness, anxiety, and reactions to the lottery, ultimately questioning the morality of the town's gruesome tradition.

Tessie Hutchinson: Tardy and Torn

From the story's outset, Tessie Hutchinson is portrayed as a character who, through her tardiness, unwittingly positions herself for a grim destiny.

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Arriving late to the town square, dressed in her apron, Tessie's forgetfulness about the lottery day seems almost intentional. This tardiness sets the stage for her symbolic association with disruption, akin to a disruptive student in a classroom deserving punishment. The irony lies in her apparent forgetfulness about an event so ominous, raising questions about whether Tessie had been dreading this day all along.

Even before the lottery commences, Tessie engages in casual gossip and encourages her husband to participate, seemingly unaware of the impending horror.

The contrast between her nonchalance before the drawing and her later anxiety implies a complex emotional journey. This raises intriguing questions about the true nature of Tessie's feelings towards the lottery, hidden beneath her initial demeanor.

Tessie's Anxiety: Unraveling the Layers

Tessie's anxiety during the lottery drawing adds another layer to her character. Despite the conventional excitement associated with winning a lottery, Tessie's anxiety hints at an underlying knowledge of the sinister consequences. Urging her husband to hurry and participate, her eagerness suggests confidence that their slip of paper won't bear the ominous black dot.

This misguided anticipation adds to the narrative's irony, as the reader remains oblivious to the impending execution that awaits the unfortunate lottery winner.

The complexity of Tessie's emotions surfaces when she is confronted with her husband's selection of the marked paper. While her anxiety initially suggested a positive outcome, her reaction to the black dot reveals the depth of her fear and desperation. This unforeseen twist challenges the reader's assumptions and prompts a reevaluation of Tessie's character, underscoring the psychological intricacies embedded in Jackson's storytelling.

Tessie's Whining and Annoyance: A Desperate Plea

As Tessie realizes her husband has drawn the fateful paper, her demeanor shifts to one of whining and annoyance. Her desperate plea for a re-draw, citing unfairness, showcases a different facet of her character. Tessie's attempt to include her daughters in the drawing, despite the established rules, emphasizes her desperation and reveals an instinctive drive for self-preservation.

While Tessie's whining may appear irritating to her fellow villagers, it serves as a poignant commentary on the human instinct for survival when faced with imminent danger. The once-liked Tessie becomes a symbol of protest against the brutal tradition, challenging the blind conformity of the townspeople. Even her close friend, Mrs. Delacroix, encourages her to be a "good sport," highlighting the societal pressure to accept the horrifying ritual without question.

Conclusion

Tessie Hutchinson's fate in "The Lottery" exposes the intricate layers of her character. From her initial tardiness to the anxiety and desperation she displays during the drawing, Tessie's journey becomes a microcosm of the moral quandaries embedded in the town's tradition. Shirley Jackson masterfully weaves a narrative that not only condemns blind adherence to societal norms but also prompts reflection on the fine line between complicity and rebellion in the face of injustice.

As readers, we are compelled to question the cruelty inflicted upon Tessie and whether her fate was a consequence of her actions or a manifestation of the town's collective moral decay. "The Lottery" serves as a chilling exploration of the human psyche and societal conformity, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's consciousness.