The lottery is an organized method of drawing lots for a prize. It is a popular form of gambling. In the United States, state-sanctioned lotteries raise tens of billions of dollars a year. Some of that money is used to benefit public services, such as education and health care. Others are used to support government programs, such as welfare and social security. Despite these advantages, the lottery is often controversial. Many people criticize it for its role in encouraging unhealthy and risky behaviors, especially compulsive gambling. Others oppose it because of its regressive effect on lower-income groups.
The first state-sanctioned lotteries were established in the early postwar period. The goal was to raise revenue for the expansion of government services without burdening working-class and middle-class taxpayers with disproportionately high tax rates. It was thought that lottery revenues could offset federal and state budget deficits and allow for the gradual elimination of income taxes. But the lottery proved to be a costly boondoggle. It boosted state governments’ budgets, but not enough to pay for the desired expansion of public services. In addition, it benefited wealthy players more than middle- and lower-income groups. And it dangled the promise of instant wealth, appealing to the desires of those with few other options.
Although Jackson does not use many characterization methods in the story, the setting and actions of the characters help to define them. Mrs. Delacroix, for example, is characterized by her quick temper and determination. Her action of selecting a stone large enough to require both hands reflects this determination. She is unwilling to be deterred from her desire for victory.
The villagers’ behavior during the lottery demonstrates a dedication to tradition. Their loyalty to tradition prevents them from questioning the fairness of the lottery or rethinking its consequences. They are unwilling to abandon what they see as a way of life that has worked in the past.
Many of the same arguments used to justify the creation of state-run lotteries can be applied to the current debate about gambling and its impact on society. The promotion of lotteries as a business focused on maximizing revenues has created a conflict with other governmental functions, including public policy. It has also raised questions about the ethicality of promoting a business that promotes gambling and the potential for negative impacts on the poor and problem gamblers.
Lotteries are a business, and as such they are required to maximize their revenues. To do so, they must advertise. The advertising strategy is not always effective, however, and lottery commissions are increasingly relying on two messages — one that emphasizes the fun of playing and the other that plays down the regressive nature of their games. These messages are contradictory and distort the truth about what drives lottery players to spend so much of their money. Moreover, they mislead the general public into thinking that lotteries are a harmless form of entertainment. This distortion obscures how much the lottery is really a dangerous form of gambling.