The novel is about a small town with only 300 inhabitants that holds their annual ritual, the lottery. Here, each man from the family must draw a card from the black box that Mr. Summer guards. The family that draws the card with the black dot must now make another draw. This time with family names only. The name that is drawn is to be stoned by the rest of the town.
Why would you say the title of the story could be considered ironic?
Because you often associate a lottery with joy. The thrill of whether you win or not is fun to try and experience. But this lottery is a completely different lottery, than what you would think when you read the title. This lottery is in no way associated with joy and fun, literally the opposite.
Explain mob-mentality and what a scapegoat is
Mob-mentality is when an individual is influenced by a majority. One could be influenced to wear a certain kind of clothes, to talk in a certain way or even to be in a certain way. You’re afraid to speak up or to be your true self, mainly because of the consequences which implies by breaking a patten, that everybody follows. Being excluded from a larger group is one of the consequences that many fear. It is often people who are insecure about themselves or lonely, who follow mob-mentality. By being anonymous and just one of those who follow the lead, you become part of something bigger. You belong somewhere and you have a spot. But it can also reduce a sense of accountably and responsibility because sometimes this effect can influence groups like these to make them feel like it’s okay to be mean or to stone people because it isn’t just the individual responsibility anymore but a groups.
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