Examples of Personification in The Lottery

Personification is a literary device that attributes human characteristics to non-human objects or ideas. It is often used to create a deeper understanding or connection between the reader and the subject being personified. Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" is rife with examples of personification, which serve to enhance the story's themes and create a sense of unease and suspense. Through the use of personification, Jackson brings inanimate objects to life, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. This essay will explore some of the instances of personification in "The Lottery" and analyze their implications.

One of the most prominent examples of personification in "The Lottery" is the way in which the black box is described. Jackson writes, "The black box grew shabbier each year: by now it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places faded or stained" (Jackson). By attributing growth and aging to the box, Jackson personifies it, making it seem like a living entity. This personification serves to emphasize the significance and history of the box, as well as the ritual it represents. The box becomes a symbol of tradition and the power it holds over the townspeople, creating a sense of foreboding and unease.

Similarly, the stones used in the stoning at the end of the story are personified. Jackson describes them as "smooth round stones" that the boys "selected with the carefulness of a choosing a showpiece in a museum" (Jackson). By attributing the stones with the ability to be selected and chosen, Jackson humanizes them, giving them a sense of agency. This personification highlights the absurdity and brutality of the lottery ritual, as the townspeople treat the stoning as a mere game or exhibition. The stones, in their personified form, become symbols of the townspeople's callousness and indifference towards the loss of human life.

Furthermore, the town itself is personified throughout the story. Jackson describes how "the whole lottery took less than two hours, so it could begin at ten o'clock in the morning and still be through in time to allow the villagers to get home for noon dinner" (Jackson). By attributing the ability to take actions and have a schedule to the town, Jackson personifies it, making it seem like a living, breathing entity. This personification serves to emphasize the sense of collective responsibility and complicity in the lottery ritual. The town becomes an active participant in the violence, reinforcing the idea that the true horror lies not only in the act itself but in the acceptance and participation of the community.

In conclusion, personification is a powerful literary device used in "The Lottery" to enhance the story's themes of tradition, brutality, and collective responsibility. Through the personification of objects such as the black box and the stones, as well as the town itself, Shirley Jackson creates a sense of unease and suspense, drawing the reader deeper into the narrative. The personification serves to highlight the significance and history of the lottery ritual, as well as the townspeople's indifference towards the loss of human life. By infusing inanimate objects with human characteristics, Jackson forces the reader to confront the disturbing reality of blind adherence to tradition and the potential for violence within a community.