The setting that Jackson creates to begin with is one of
great comfort. It is a clear and sunny morning in June. The children gathered in the
town square with a feeling of liberty as they had recently finished school for the year.
The children gather stones and it seems they have a purpose. The reader is sort of
filled with the idea that this is just one of the things that kids
do.
As the story moves along, the mood and atmosphere
shifts from comfort to unease. The adults begin milling around next and their
discussions appear to be forced and less comfortable. The smiles feel forced. It seems
that there is some order for the day and the people anxiously, almost nervously await
this.
The tone finally shifts one more time in the very
end. When the revelation of the lottery is brought to light by the author, a great
horror fills readers.
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