Nov 3rd & 4th & 5 2025 Unreliable Narrator Teams Writing Assignment & "The Lottery" (1948) by Shirley Jackson - Author Bio & Group Work Subtext Questions & Vocab & Unreliable Narrator Work Time!

Monday:

Silent Read 20 min 

Mon and Tues - Unreliable Narrator Teams Writing Assignment - Black Cat - sample. 

Thursday: 

Silent Read 20 min 

"The Lottery" (1948) Audio Reading. 36 min.

by Shirley Jackson - handout. 

🪓 Lesson Breakdown

Day 1: Reading + Tone and Subtext Analysis

1. Hook:
   Ask students: Have you ever gone along with something because “it’s always been that way”?
   
   

2. Read Aloud or Listen to "The Lottery" (36 min)
   – Pause to note student reactions at key points (e.g., the first mention of stones, the lottery box, the twist ending).
   – Encourage annotations focusing on tone shifts, foreshadowing, and diction. 

Shirley Hardie Jackson was an American writer known primarily for her works of horror and mystery. Her writing career spanned over two decades, during which she composed six novels, two memoirs, and more than 200 short stories.

Why did she write 'The Lottery?' 

Shirley Jackson wrote The Lottery to explore the dangers of blind conformity, the persistence of outdated traditions, and the dark side of human nature. When the story was published in 1948, shortly after World War II, Jackson was responding to the unsettling realization that ordinary people could commit horrific acts simply because they were following societal norms or orders—echoing the behavior seen in wartime atrocities.

Group Work Questions: 15-20 min

1. How does the story’s tone shift throughout?

2. What clues does Jackson give about the ending?

3. What is the role of tradition in this village?

4. What is the message or critique Jackson might be making?

Vocab: 

Paraphernalia

Definition: The miscellaneous objects or equipment used for a particular activity.
In context: In The Lottery, this refers to the black box and slips of paper.

Perfunctory

Definition: Done with minimal effort or reflection; carried out routinely, without enthusiasm or care.
In context: Many villagers participate in the lottery perfunctorily—they follow the tradition without questioning it or showing emotion.

Interminably

Definition: Seemingly endless; lasting a very long time.
In context: The lottery process can feel interminable, especially as tension builds while the slips are drawn.

Answer Key: Review

Discussion (5-10 min)

1. How does the story’s tone shift?
At first, the tone is light, casual, and almost cheerful—people are gathering in the sunshine, kids are playing, and there’s a sense of small-town normalcy. But as the story progresses, the tone becomes more tense and uneasy, especially as the lottery procedure begins and the villagers’ behaviors grow more serious and distant. By the end, the tone is disturbingly calm despite the brutal outcome, making the violence feel even more shocking.

2. What clues does Jackson give about the ending?
Jackson uses subtle foreshadowing:

• Children gathering stones early on

• Adults speaking in hushed or nervous tones about the lottery

• The villagers’ reluctance to get too close to the black box

• The tension and silence as people draw their slips
  These all hint that something darker is happening beneath the surface of this "harmless" tradition.

3. What is the role of tradition in this village?
Tradition is followed blindly and without question. Even though parts of the ritual have been lost or altered over time, the townspeople cling to the core idea of the lottery simply because it's always been done. It shows how people can perpetuate harmful systems if they don't stop to question them.

4. What is the message or critique Jackson might be making?
Jackson critiques how societies can normalize cruelty and violence in the name of tradition or conformity. She warns against the dangers of groupthink, complacency, and the refusal to question outdated practices. The story also explores how ordinary people can commit horrific acts when they’re told it’s acceptable or necessary.

Subtext Link:

Just like in The Lottery, many people today may feel uneasy or disagree with what’s happening politically but stay silent — which allows harmful systems to continue.

Example: Yale professor - History of Fascism - recent move to Canada.

Academics leave America 5 min

Teams Work Time - Cart 3

Start - Teacher/Student - Term 1 final meetings :)