Internal Conflict in "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" is a chilling tale that explores the theme of internal conflict within a seemingly idyllic community. The story follows the annual tradition of a lottery, where one person is chosen at random to be stoned to death. While the external conflict of the lottery is evident, the internal conflicts within the characters add depth and complexity to the narrative. This essay will analyze the internal conflict in "The Lottery," focusing on the inner struggles of the protagonist, Tessie Hutchinson, and the broader implications of this conflict.

One of the key instances of internal conflict in "The Lottery" occurs within Tessie Hutchinson. At first, she appears to be a compliant and ordinary member of the community, but as the lottery progresses, her internal conflict becomes increasingly apparent. This conflict arises from her fear of becoming the chosen one, leading her to question the fairness and morality of the lottery. For example, when her husband draws the marked slip of paper, she exclaims, "You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!" (Jackson). This moment reveals her internal struggle between loyalty to her family and her realization that the lottery is inherently unjust.

Furthermore, Tessie's internal conflict is heightened by the community's collective participation in the lottery. While she initially conforms to the traditional practices, her internal conflict intensifies when she becomes the selected victim. In this pivotal moment, Tessie's internal struggle reaches its climax, as she desperately pleads for mercy and questions the very foundations of the lottery. Her internal conflict is evident in her statement, "It isn't fair, it isn't right" (Jackson). This conflict between her loyalty to her community and her own survival instinct showcases the complexity of her character and the internal struggle she faces.

The internal conflicts within Tessie Hutchinson are not isolated but reflect the broader conflict of the lottery in the community. The townspeople, although they participate willingly in the tradition, also experience internal conflict regarding the morality of the lottery. This is evident in their hesitancy and unease throughout the process. Jackson describes this conflict when she states, "Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones" (Jackson). This line suggests that the community has internalized the conflict between the tradition they blindly follow and their own moral reservations.

The internal conflict in "The Lottery" extends beyond the individual characters to the larger issue of conformity and blind adherence to tradition. The lottery serves as a metaphor for the dangers of unquestioning conformity and the internal conflict it can create within individuals. By exploring the internal struggle of Tessie Hutchinson and the collective conflict of the community, Jackson highlights the destructive power of blindly following tradition without questioning its underlying values.

In conclusion, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson explores the theme of internal conflict through the character of Tessie Hutchinson and the broader community. Tessie's internal conflict is evident in her fear of becoming the chosen one and her questioning of the fairness of the lottery. The collective internal conflict within the community is showcased through their hesitancy and unease during the lottery. This internal conflict highlights the dangers of conformity and the need to question tradition. Overall, "The Lottery" serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of individual agency and critical thinking in the face of societal expectations.