Essential Questions

  • What is the role of conformity in a society?
  • Is conformity generally considered a good or a bad thing?
  • What are the consequences of conformity?
  • What are the rewards?

Your Learning Task

You will read the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and analyze the way the author develops the theme conformity in the context of the Milgrim and Asch experiments on conformity.

#Read "The Lottery"

Read "The Lottery" at the Common Lit website here:
​www.commonlit.org/en/texts/the-lottery?search_id=19529319

#View Stanley Milgrim Video

In 1962, social psychologist Stanley Milgram performed a series of experiments designed to test the effects of blind obedience or conformity to authority. In this short video we get a glimpse of Milgram's work.

#View Solomon Asch Video

Social psychologist Solomon Asch also performed conformity experiments, though his were not considered unethical like Stanley Milgram's were.  Watch this video to learn about and witness the work of Solomon Asch.

#Answer Post Reading and Viewing Questions

  • How does the work of Milgram and Asch relate to the characters, events, setting, and theme in "The Lottery"?
  • What might Solomon Asch or Stanley Milgram have said about "The Lottery"?

#Close Reading of "The Lottery" with Milgrim and Asch in Mind

In a second reading and with the work of Milgram and Asch in mind, identify for evidence of the 1) ways Shirley Jackson develops her theme about the tragic consequences that follow blind conformity to authorities, traditions, or beliefs, and 2) the consequences themselves.

1) Ways Jackson uses to develop the theme may include:
  • setting
  • characters
  • dialogue
  • word choice or figurative language
  • irony
  • symbolism
  • plot -- events, exposition, resolution, or conflict

2) Consequences of the willingness of the town to CONFORM without questioning:
  • PHYSICAL
    • Death (of Tessie)
  • EMOTIONAL
    • loss of family members and friends (Bill, Bill, Jr., Nancy, Davy, Eva lose their mother/wife)
    • weak family bonds ("Shut up, Tessie!")
  • SOCIAL
    • continuation of the brutal practice (Bobby Martin collecting the best projectile as a role model; little Davy Hutchinson being given a pebble to throw at his mother 

​Use the DED (Double Entry Diary) template below to help you read "The Lottery" more closely so that you will be able to see the development of the theme of conformity in light of Milgrim's and Asch's social experiments. 

DED Template for "The Lottery"
docs.google.com/document/d/1ndnJM0l8riJLhRVkGfwsIpbVHkcGkEKUXg01TderZyI/edit?usp=sharing

#Write a Literary Analysis 

As you write your literary analysis, reference the work of Milgram and/or Aschto support, help explain, or add greater depth to Jackon's theme. For example, according to Milgram and Asch is Jackson's portrayal of the events in "The Lottery" completely far fetched?

Use the instructions below to help you get your literary analysis started.

Writing Template (Optional but helpful!)

Use the template in Google Classroom, also linked here, to help you organize your writing:
docs.google.com/document/d/1mbQ67Bl635A4Ip9jkYczqV1iXVFABBYXci4F7lVVjkc/edit?usp=sharing

#Read Mrs. Bestor's Essay