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Shirley Jacksons, The Lottery, is a shocking story that reveals the social order and ideology of a capitalistic society. By definition, the ideal capitalistic society is an economic system based upon the concentration of wealth, and the competitive distribution of production and business to privately owned powerful representatives. This form of an ideal society is what Shirley Jackson based the small village on in The Lottery. In The Lottery, the lottery itself, serves as a democratic illusion for a capitalistic society.
It deceives not only the reader, but the people of the village, into believing it is democratic in nature, because of the fact that everyone participates in the lottery and consciously knows they have an equal chance at being selected; this, however, goes against the function of the lottery to maintain a rigid social order based upon an unjust division of labor. The lottery is set up to appear as a process of random and equal selection, but, because, it is held in the town square between the bank and the post office the two buildings that symbolize money and government and it is administered by the villages most powerful representatives, the lottery becomes more like an election than a process of random selection. The villages ruling class only participates to convince others that they are equal to everyone else, even though their exclusive control over the lottery suggests they are not. The lottery's democratic illusion, then, is an ideological effect that prevents the village from criticizing the class structure of their society.
Another aspect of The Lottery, that pertains to an ideally capitalistic society, is the order and division of labor in the village. The most powerful man is Mr. Summers. He not only owns the villages largest and most powerful source of income, the coal company, but he is also its major.
Shirley Jackson states that, The lottery was conducted as were the square dances, the teen-age club, the Halloween program Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities (268, part. 4). Him having so much time to devote to such activities, suggests the extent of his power and labor. It shows how much he actually does in the work force, and how much other people do for him. Next in line, would be Mr. Graves, the villages postmaster, which serves as the second highest government position.
Following him, would be Mr. Martin, the village grocer, who has gained his position not only economically, but also as the provider of food and other necessities for the people of the village. When, Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones; Bobby and Harry Jones and Dickie Delacroixeventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of the other boys (268, part. 2), it is another example of budding power within the hierarchy of the social order. Here Bobby Martin, even at his young age, is taking the initiative to set an example and lead the other boys. The other boys, seeing his advantageous plan, followed his lead. They are also showing their power by guarding the pile of stones.
Social order and strong work ethic are also shown when Jackson writes, Who is it? Whos got it? Is it the Dunbar's? Is it the Watsons? (271, part. 43) It just so happens, that the Dunbar's and the Watsons are presently the least productive families in the village, because, Mr. Dunbar is unable to work due to his broken leg and Mr. Watson is dead.
The fact that the people of the village would automatically assume these two families, shows that they fear lack of productivity and social order can result in being selected in the lottery. The question that arises in my mind is: what is the relationship between Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves and Mr.
Martin the towns most powerful and wealthiest businessmen and them officiating the lottery? One huge aspect in the social order of the village, is the role of women. Jackson has made it incredibly clear that power in the village is solely in the hands of the male heads of families and households. Women are considered inferior in statute and must surrender to the power of their husbands. The women have no voice, rather the husband or male head of the household, speaks for the entire family. This inferiority is placed on the women because they are merely housewives and have no source for income, which is the ultimate priority in a capitalistic society to make money.
One example of the womens subordinate position in the village, is when they make their first appearance, wearing faded house dresses and sweaters[and walking] shortly after their menfolk (268, part. 3). The description of their dresses alone, shows they work as housewives and, therefore, suggests that because, they are not making money to provide for their families in this ideology of a capitalistic society, they are automatically inferior in statute. Also, the fact that they are walking behind their husband, suggests women being one step in power behind the male. This same example is relevant with the children, when the boys collect stones, and the village girls stand off to the side and watch, just as they will be expected to remain as spectators in the workforce next to their husbands, when they are grown.
Most women in the village accept this role of subordinate power, but it is Tessie, the victim, who rebels against this idea of male domination and oversteps her boundaries in respecting the ruling officials of the village. Is it mere coincidence that Tessie, the only one who appears to rebel against the lottery, wound up the victim? Not only does Tessie rebel against male domination with her husband, but, she is also responsible for many other faux pas with the election. First of all, Tessie shows up late. She explains she was doing her dishes and forgot what day it was. This raises suspicion about her resistance and lack of respect for the importance of the lottery.
When Mr. Summers calls her family's name, Tessie pushes her husband by saying, Get up there Bill (271, part. 29), which directly shows her disobedience to the surrender of her husband. It is very clear, that she wears the pants in the family, as many would say, and her husband is the laughing stock because of it. Again, she also oversteps her boundaries when her was selected and she, shouted to Mr. Summers, You didnt give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you.
It wasnt fair! (271, part. 45). The fact that she would question Mr. Summers deliberately in front of everyone, shows again, her lack of respect not only to men, but to the villages highest ruling officials. Her final faux pas, is to question the rules of the lottery in the first place, when she claims that her daughter and son-in-law should be forced to play their chance as well, knowing that her daughter is now drawing with her own family. I think Jackson chose Tessie, to reveal that the lottery strictly enforces not only a division of labor and social order, but also requires respect and forbids resistance. This holds true to survival in a capitalistic society; those who resist, will ultimately fail.
In conclusion, the power structure of social order and the distribution of wealth and labor in The Lottery, are prime examples of the beliefs a capitalistic society would impose on a small village. The surviving people of the village must accept this fate without question or resistance, in fear that they might be selected next. It is this fear of selection, that serves the repressing function of ridding the social body of all resistance, so that businesscapitalismcan go on as normal and the Summers, the Graves and the Martins can remain in power.
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Research essay sample on Capitalist Society In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson
