For what reason does Shirley Jackson likely use stock characters in “The Lottery?”

to draw attention to the story’s plot and theme

to teach readers about stock characters

to order events in the story

to create irony throughout the story

1 answer

Shirley Jackson likely uses stock characters in "The Lottery" to draw attention to the story's plot and theme. The use of these familiar and easily recognizable character types can help the reader quickly understand the dynamics within the community and allow Jackson to focus on developing the story's dark and unexpected twists. Additionally, by using stock characters, Jackson is able to create a sense of universality in the story, making the shocking ending all the more impactful.