Literary Devices

Shirley Jackson uses foreshadowing very well.  Before the lottery begins, she writes about the children collecting stones and making piles. These actions are clearly pointing to an event to happen later in the story.  Also, the name "Mr. Graves" is ominous.  One meaning of the term grave is serious and life threatening. This name should alert the reader that this village meeting is a grave event and should not be taken lightly.  When Tessie Hutchinson arrives late to the meeting and is acting obnoxiously cheerful it makes the reader aware that she is the main character but also that the reader should pay close attention to her actions and dialogue throughout the story.