Short Story Discussions

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Published on September 23, 2010 by Discussion Cafe

Click here to read "The Lottery," a short story by Shirley Jackson.

(Click here for downloadable PDF.)

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the setting of this story? Who are the main characters? Can you relate to this place and/or these people?

2. Discuss the element of surprise in story telling. Were you surprised by anything in this story? How prepared were you for the ending?

3. Discuss the concept of a scapegoat. Every culture has its own version of a scapegoat. What do they look like in your culture? Have you ever played the role of scapegoat? How did you feel? What emotions did that experience evoke? Deeper compassion? Anger? Bitterness?

4. What are some details from the story that carry more significance and weight in subsequent readings, once you have the benefit of hindsight to inform the context?

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