The Lottery and Other Stories

Questions: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

8. Examine the symbolism in the story. Comment on the significance of the following:

g) the substitution of paper for wood chips

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Much like the box itself, the wood chips have fallen out of importance in the ritual. The wood chips represented the care and importance of the festivities. Now, only interested in the murder, the chips have given way to shoddy strips of paper with a black mark on them. They represent the meaninglessness of the ritual.

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