A lottery is an arrangement by which prizes (either money or goods) are allocated to people who have paid for a ticket or tickets. The casting of lots has a long record in human history, but the lottery as a way to raise funds or determine fortunes is much more recent. In modern times, most lotteries are run as state or municipal enterprises that require payment of a consideration for a chance to win a prize. Many of these are designed to promote civic causes and benefit the poor. Others are designed to dish out cash prizes. A few are even used for military conscription, commercial promotions, and selecting members of a jury.
While the lottery has wide public support, it has generated some criticisms. Critics complain that state-run lotteries promote gambling and may lead to problems such as compulsive gambling, regressive effects on lower income groups, and corruption. They also argue that the large amount of money in a jackpot can be eroded by taxes and inflation over time.
The villagers in Jackson’s story seem to be caught up in the idea of tradition. The black box is the symbol of this blind loyalty to tradition. The villagers do not question the contents of the box, and they believe that those who would deviate from tradition are crazy. They behave in a way that suggests that they are not just ignorant of the truth; they are actually evil.
