A lottery is an activity in which participants pay a sum of money for the chance to win a prize based on a random drawing. Its origins are ancient, although the use of lotteries to raise funds for various purposes is more recent. Today, state-run lotteries raise billions of dollars annually and have become popular worldwide. Some people view them as a painless alternative to higher taxes.
The basic elements of a lottery are: a pool of prizes, a method for collecting and recording stakes, and a mechanism for selecting winners. Usually, each bettor writes his name and/or a number on a ticket, then deposits the ticket with a lottery organization for shuffling and selection in the drawing. The winnings are paid out in accordance with the terms of the lottery’s constitution or bylaws.
Lotteries are a popular form of gambling and, in some cases, can be addictive. The odds of winning the lottery are slim, and many players have been misled by an illusion of control. They believe that by picking their own numbers they can tilt the odds in their favor. This illusion is reinforced when they experience a close call-a missed prize payout by a hair’s breadth-and conclude that their skill has helped them get lucky.
In this short story by Shirley Jackson, the lottery illustrates how humans often mistreat each other in the service of their cultural beliefs and customs. The villagers in this remote American village seem to treat each other in accordance with their family and community traditions, and the events of the lottery show that these practices may not be so benign as they appear.