Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" is a story littered with warnings and subtext about the dangers a subjugated society can pose. Although the opening is deceptively happy and light-hearted, Jackson uses an array of symbols and ominous syntax to help create the uneasy and somber tone with which the story ends. His portrait of townspeople blindly following tradition depicts the world during World War II, when people's inability to unthinkingly accept and heed authority led to disastrous consequences. . Shirley Jackson uses a wide range of techniques to convey the idea that recklessly following and accepting traditions and orders can have disastrous consequences. The opening paragraphs of the story contain a light, carefree tone with phrases such as: “The morning…was clear. and sunny, with the cool heat of a summer day” (1) and “the children gathered first… they began to play loudly” (1). Jackson does not lead the reader to think that something sinister is going to happen. However, once the narration shifts from children to adults, the first hint of something other than light-hearted small-town excitement is seen; “The men… stood together… their jokes were calm and they smiled rather than laughed” (2). The story continues to give some background on the lottery unless Mr. Summers prepares to begin and "a sudden silence falls over the crowd" (3), to the point where the reader no longer doubts that the lottery is anything thing we want. earn. As Mr Summers begins, the crowd is described as "quiet", "not looking around" and "serious". The subtle change in tone as names continue to be drawn creates a growing sense of apprehension until Mr. Summers calls the last one. time and there is "a long pause...... middle of paper...... uh act as opposites as they symbolize fighting traditions and hold firmly to them. The story's gradual change in tone helps create a shocking ending that effectively demonstrates the dangers of recklessly maintaining traditions. Beginning on a beautiful summer day, the reader does not expect a grim ending until slowly clues reveal that the tone changes dramatically. Jackson paints a poorly received picture of America after World War II by describing the danger of blindly following and accepting traditions. Americans considered the story shocking and disturbing, as they could most likely see traces of their own actions reflected by the townspeople as they mercilessly murdered their neighbor. Shirley Jackson uses a wide range of techniques to convey the idea that recklessly following and accepting traditions and orders can have disastrous consequences..