The lottery is a popular way for state governments to raise money. It is easy to organize, popular with the public, and can be a source of substantial revenue for a state government. However, the lottery has a number of problems that arise from its operation. First, there are concerns over the ability of state officials to manage an activity from which they profit. Second, there are societal effects that affect the lottery, such as its regressive impact on low-income people. Finally, there are questions about the ability of state officials to prioritize different goals.
The Lottery demonstrates how blind adherence to tradition can be harmful to society. Jackson uses the lottery as an example to demonstrate the power of tradition over human beings and how it can impose irrational rituals on society. He also demonstrates the importance of questioning and protesting authority.
Throughout the story, Jackson utilizes various characterization methods to develop the characters. The most prevalent is the use of actions to characterize the people in the story. This is done by showing the readers the manner in which each character behaves and the emotions they feel. For instance, the character of Mrs. Delacroix is shown to have a quick temper. This is exhibited in her action of picking a stone with great frustration when she is not allowed to win.
In addition to characterization, the setting of the story is used to establish the mood of the story. The story is set in a small town in which the lottery takes place. It is not a large city with a lot of people, but it is still important to have a good setting. This helps to create a sense of suspense for the reader.
A common theme in this story is the reliance of state officials on the lottery to meet their financial needs. The problem with this is that lottery revenues are not directly related to a state’s fiscal condition, and as such the lottery can become a significant dependency for a government. This is evidenced by the fact that when state governments experience a financial crisis, they typically respond by increasing lottery play rather than reducing it.
In addition, the lottery has a tendency to grow in size and complexity over time. This is largely due to the fact that most states begin with a relatively simple game and, as they see an opportunity for additional income, expand the lottery to include new games. This process is accelerated by the constant pressure on state budgets for additional revenue. As a result, few state governments have a coherent gambling policy. This is especially true of the lottery, which has no single executive or legislative body that can set the overall policy for this industry. As a result, the lottery is usually subject to continuous debate and criticism as its operations continue to evolve.