A lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw it, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. The prizes may be cash or goods. The total value of the prizes is usually predetermined, with profits for promoters and taxes or other revenues deducted from the pool. In the past, lottery revenues have helped finance the construction of the British Museum and many bridges, the expansion of public works in America, and other government projects. The lottery is popular with the general public because it is easy to organize and inexpensive. Compared with other forms of gambling, it is also relatively harmless to society.
Nevertheless, it is possible for people to become addicted to the lottery, and research shows that it is common to see people who spend large amounts of money on tickets. Moreover, it is difficult for state governments to control lottery spending and the behavior of those who play it. In addition, lotteries are a classic example of a policy that is established piecemeal and then continually changed by the ongoing evolution of the industry. State officials are frequently under pressure to increase the number of games and the amount of revenue that is generated by them.
The story of the lottery is told by Shirley Jackson in the first person. Her style is reminiscent of the Gothic genre of literature, and her depiction of human cruelty, especially the ruthless behavior of the townspeople in their fervor to win, is chilling.
There is no mention of God in the story, but Jackson seems to suggest that the townpeople are religious in some way. One of the children whose name is Dickie Delacroix is piling rocks with other children; his last name signifies “the cross.” This could be a reference to how the townspeople view the lottery as holy, or perhaps it is an allusion to the crucifixion of Jesus.
In fact, the crucifixion was used as an excuse to murder innocent people by many a dictator or tyrant, and it is a horrifying image that is hard to forget. The lottery is a kind of modern version of the lottery of souls, and it is important to note that, even though lottery play does not cause crime or rape, it does have negative effects on certain segments of the population.
For instance, the poor are less likely to play than those who have more incomes. Moreover, lottery advertising is often misleading, commonly presenting unrealistic odds of winning and inflating the value of prize money (lottery jackpots are paid in annual installments over 20 years, with inflation dramatically eroding the actual value). Lastly, the fact that lotteries are run as business enterprises means that they are promoting gambling. This puts them at cross-purposes with the larger public interest. In this context, it is worth asking whether the promotion of gambling by state-sponsored lotteries is appropriate for a democratic society.