The Lottery

Author- Shirley Jackson
Title- "The Lottery"
Theme- The 'tribal nature' of any small community

 I grew up on a farm outside of Lapwai. I went to Culdesac school, from preschool through sixth
 grade. They would always have Shebang days every summer. It seemed to be a time when everyone
in the small community would come together, no matter how hot it would get that day. And trust me,
it was hot! "The Lottery" sort of seems to be like this too. It is tradition for them to do this, and they
were going to keep it that way. It seems sometimes that the logical thing to do isn't always what is
 done. It's like there is an unknown hierarchy in places like these and things have to go on as usual, despite the circumstances.
It was sort of the same in Kendrick, when I moved there in Junior high. There was always the Locust Blossom Festival. It is something to bring the community together, along with others, for something that is important to them. The lottery is something bringing the people in the story together too, and it must be important to them in a way, otherwise they would try to stop it.

Facebook post

Mrs. Mallards
1. I never thought life would be so fragile.
2. Something sudden can change everything.
3. Appreciate what you've got.
4. Love those you have not lost.
5. Oh the opportunities.
6. Dream state.
7. Having an out of body experience.
8. This can't be true!
9. Don't give up hope.
10. Today is a new day.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_New_Beginning

 

Guy

There is always work to be done. Go to work, be on time. Work hard and be responsible. We go to church on Sunday's. Wear your tie. Tuck in your shirt. The preacher comes over for afternoon BBQ and football. Try in school, even if it is pretty boring at times. And of course, try out for football, not soccer. Drive the speed limit so you don't get a ticket. Learn how to change that tire. The engine is important for you to know about. Don't let the oil run out. Go to the games on Friday nights. Try out for football, not soccer. Football is our game. The high school has a lot of druggies, better not catch you with any of that crap. The coach will kick you off the team. Always work hard. And don't forget to try out for football, not soccer.

Dialogue

They huddled in the corner of the day care, the two middle aged women. The lights were dimmed and a movie was playing quietly in the background. About 12 children are lounging on the floor, on assorted colored mats. A few are sleeping, a few fidgeting and a couple whispering back and forth.
The women have their heads bowed, not minding the children.
"Did you hear about Cindy?" The dark haired woman asked.
"No. What about her?" Said the other, a dish water blond.
"She's pregnant."
The blond looked back at the other, did a quick scan of the room, then bowed her head in closer. "I had guessed that! When did she find out?"
The dark haired woman grinned at her news. "Not sure, it's on Facebook."
"Facebook." The blond made a dirty look. "Sounds like she decided to tell the world."
"Yeah."
"Well good for her I guess. Too bad she's only 20."
The dark haired woman looked over her shoulder. Two of the children were gone.

Test Prep 2

Assonance: is the repetition of vowel sounds to create internal rhyming within phrases or sentences, and together with alliteration and consonance serves as one of the building blocks of verse. For example, in the phrase "Do you like blue?"

Test Question-
Which of these phrases shows assonance?
1. The skirt is green.
2. Clouds are fluffy.
3. We feel free.

Test Prep

Alliteration: a literary device that repeats a speech sound in a sequence of words that are close to each other. Alliteration typically uses consonants at the beginning of a word to give stress to its syllable.
*makes poems more fun to read, sing-songy

This is an example from Edgar Allen Poe's poem, The Raven.
"And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain" -silken and sad are uses of alliteration

Test Question-
What is the alliteration in this line?
 Q-The horrible hairy hamster was full of life and raced around his wheel.

A- horrible hairy and hamster

Howl Imitation

I saw the minds of my generation in a flurry of different colors, shapes and sizes.

The new idea being sold is that everyone is beautiful in their own way, yet the models are still pencil thin and actresses the same.

People are trying to be individuals, told to be their own person. What a nice idea, but yet, deep down, we all still want to be accepted by the others around us.

I saw the minds of my generation gauging their ears and dying their hair green

Who claim to want work but instead stay at home and talk about it with their friends instead of going out to get it.

I saw the minds of my generation deciding to make somebodies out of themselves

Those minds going to college, taking classes and working hard to get their degrees

To change their lives, to maybe try to make a change.

The alcohol and sex are still evident, and sometimes abused, prominent in lives, along with violence, violence, and more violence. Everywhere, surrounding us all, in our media, in our cities, states, and countries.