Ironic Symbolism in The Lottery Essay Example

Ironic Symbolism in The Lottery Paper Throughout the story of The Lottery, symbolisms are apparent. Shirley Jackson sets the scene of the story as bright and magnificently beautiful in the beginning, but as the story continues that scene is destroyed and replaced by what some would consider quite disturbing. The Lottery takes the road less traveled in route to its disturbing nature. Symbolisms provided by Shirley Jackson provide her audience with the knowledge to make sense of the ironic chaos abound. Three symbolisms stand prevalent above all other in, The Lottery; the three-legged stool, the black box, and the lottery itself. The three-legged stool that is mentioned in Shirley’s story happens to display important symbolism for her story. The three legs of the stool seemingly represent the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirt). As a representation of life, forgiveness, and hope the stool (Holy Trinity) is used to support the black box when a random drawing was in process. The Stool’s employment of supporting the black box in The Lottery represents the manipulative involvement of people in religion to support collective violence. There also lies irony in the symbolism. It is ironic that the stool represents the Holy Trinity and yet it supports the black box which symbolizes death, evil, fear, and mystery. The placement of the stool as the centerpiece of the square room highlights the mystery of the box and also the symbolism of the three-legged stool. We will write a custom essay sample on Ironic Symbolism in The Lottery specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Ironic Symbolism in The Lottery specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Ironic Symbolism in The Lottery specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The black box that sets atop the three-legged stool has two major symbolic qualities being its shape (box) and its color (black). Black, the color of the box represents death, evil, fear, and mystery. The random drawing from the black box constructs fear and mystery in the people anticipating the drawing. Evil soon ensues to turn people who once had high morals into bigots. And the random drawing selection process is capped off by death whom presents itself through a thorough stoning of the â€Å"lu

Free Essays on Telémakhos, The Odyssey

In his translation of The Odyssey, Robert Fitzgerald portrays Telà ©makhos as a rational, striving, yet disdained gentleman. Telà ©makhos’ ambitions are confirmed by his desire to unbind the mystery of his lost father. A vast amount of his nearby society do not agree with his proposal. Nevertheless, the sensible and eager young man begins his journey. The author first introduces Telà ©makhos as a man of wisdom. Fitzgerald constantly refers to him as the â€Å"Clear-headed Telà ©makhos...† (2, 25). A later establishment demonstrates how â€Å"Telà ©makhos replie[s] with no confusion† (2, 28) to Antinoos. Fitzgerald implies the high wit of Telà ©makhos by utilizing different word associations that introduce his speech. On the contrary to the author’s opinion on Telà ©makhos, the other characters condescend and insult him. Antinoos exemplifies this behavior by openly displaying his feelings of distrust for the young man. He believed that Telà ©makhos would â€Å"want to shame [him], and humiliate [him]† (2, 21). Antinoos further contributes to his discontentment on him by blaming his â€Å"own dear, incomparable cunning mother.† He additionally expresses that â€Å"for three years now-and it will soon be four- [his mother] has been breaking the hearts of the Akhaians, holding out hope to all, and sending promises to each man privately -but thinking otherwise† (2, 22). Antinoos does not stand in solitude with his negative ideas on Telà ©makhos. A â€Å"young top lofty gallant† supports Antinoos by voicing that â€Å"Telà ©makhos has a mind to murder [them]† (2, 28). Another complies with this statement by predicting that â€Å"He might be lost at sea, just like Odysseus, knocking around in a ship, far from his friends† (2,2! 8). Furthermore, this man sarcastically verbalizes â€Å"what a lot of trouble that would give [them], making the right division of things!† (2, 28). The supporting characters in act 2 personify the hateful reput... Free Essays on Telà ©makhos, The Odyssey Free Essays on Telà ©makhos, The Odyssey In his translation of The Odyssey, Robert Fitzgerald portrays Telà ©makhos as a rational, striving, yet disdained gentleman. Telà ©makhos’ ambitions are confirmed by his desire to unbind the mystery of his lost father. A vast amount of his nearby society do not agree with his proposal. Nevertheless, the sensible and eager young man begins his journey. The author first introduces Telà ©makhos as a man of wisdom. Fitzgerald constantly refers to him as the â€Å"Clear-headed Telà ©makhos...† (2, 25). A later establishment demonstrates how â€Å"Telà ©makhos replie[s] with no confusion† (2, 28) to Antinoos. Fitzgerald implies the high wit of Telà ©makhos by utilizing different word associations that introduce his speech. On the contrary to the author’s opinion on Telà ©makhos, the other characters condescend and insult him. Antinoos exemplifies this behavior by openly displaying his feelings of distrust for the young man. He believed that Telà ©makhos would â€Å"want to shame [him], and humiliate [him]† (2, 21). Antinoos further contributes to his discontentment on him by blaming his â€Å"own dear, incomparable cunning mother.† He additionally expresses that â€Å"for three years now-and it will soon be four- [his mother] has been breaking the hearts of the Akhaians, holding out hope to all, and sending promises to each man privately -but thinking otherwise† (2, 22). Antinoos does not stand in solitude with his negative ideas on Telà ©makhos. A â€Å"young top lofty gallant† supports Antinoos by voicing that â€Å"Telà ©makhos has a mind to murder [them]† (2, 28). Another complies with this statement by predicting that â€Å"He might be lost at sea, just like Odysseus, knocking around in a ship, far from his friends† (2,2! 8). Furthermore, this man sarcastically verbalizes â€Å"what a lot of trouble that would give [them], making the right division of things!† (2, 28). The supporting characters in act 2 personify the hateful reput...