A lottery is a game in which tokens are drawn to determine the winners of prizes. The tokens may be money, animals, land or other items of value. The drawing of the tokens is usually random. This is used to distribute government stipends or prizes. It is also used to select students or athletes in school or for a sport team. In the United States, lottery games are regulated by state law. Some of the proceeds from these games are used for public services like park services, education and funds for seniors & veterans.
Lotteries are popular and draw large crowds. The main reason is that they offer the hope of a quick and easy way to get rich. People believe that the amount they win will solve all their problems and allow them to live life without financial worries. However, these hopes are not realistic. God wants us to earn our wealth by working hard (Proverbs 23:5).
A large jackpot attracts attention and drives lottery sales. But it also creates a sense of injustice. It is not fair for wealthy players to reap the benefits while ordinary citizens struggle. In addition, huge jackpots often have a negative impact on society and the economy.
In the story, the narrator uses various characterization methods to reveal the characters. She describes the setting and the actions of the people in a very convincing manner. She shows the apprehension of the villagers as they wait for the results. The sense of apprehension becomes more intense when they draw the slips and realize that one of the participants will be stoned to death.