In one paragraph, answer the following question in the space below. Be sure to include

Question

evidence (direct quotes) from the short story to support your argument.

How would the story be different if it was written in first person (internal narration)?

Answer 1

If the story, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, was written in first person (internal narration), it would significantly alter the tone and impact of the narrative. Currently, as a third person observer, the readers are able to witness the events from an outside perspective, feeling a sense of detachment and shock as the town members participate in the brutal lottery. However, if the story were written in first person, the readers would experience the horror and anxiety directly through the protagonist. The line, "Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand." demonstrates how the third person narration allows the readers to observe Bill's reaction rather than being in his head. This detachment makes the story more chilling as the readers can see the unfathomable acceptance of the lottery by all the characters, making them more complicit in the practice. If it were in first person, the readers would be directly confronted with the protagonist's thoughts and emotions, creating a more intense and personal connection to the story.