Read the excerpt from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson.

"You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!"

What is the effect of this dialogue on the plot?

Tessie's protestations spark a minor rebellion that is soon squashed by Mr. Summers.
Tessie's protestations spark a minor rebellion that is soon squashed by Mr. Summers.

Mr. Summers considers a redrawing of the village's lottery.
Mr. Summers considers a redrawing of the village's lottery.

Tessie's words raise the tension of the story, forcing readers to wonder why she is so upset and propelling the tale to its conclusion.
Tessie's words raise the tension of the story, forcing readers to wonder why she is so upset and propelling the tale to its conclusion.

It shows that Mr. Summers has manipulated the lottery to protect himself and punish Tessie, thereby revealing the story's conflict.

1 answer

The effect of Tessie's dialogue in the excerpt from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson primarily serves to raise the tension of the story, forcing readers to wonder why she is so upset and propelling the tale to its conclusion. Her protest highlights her growing awareness of the unfairness of the lottery and her sense of injustice, which contrasts sharply with the complacency of the other villagers. This moment of dissent creates a critical turning point in the narrative, as it reveals Tessie's desperation and foreshadows the story's climax. The audience is left questioning the implications of her outcry and what it means for her fate, thereby intensifying the emotional stakes as the plot unfolds.