Abstract

The Lottery written by American writer Shirley Jackson is a popular short story. Many critics have studied it from different aspects since 1948 when it was published. It seems ordinary. But when we read it carefully, we can see its deep meanings. With the help of some previous studies, this thesis discusses a few basic contradictions revealed in the story, such as the contradictions between male and female, between traditions and new things, between religion and ethic, and the sovereignty of the majority and the tyranny of the majority. Through the study of these contradictions, each of which forms a clue of the story, this paper has further explained Jackson’s intention to write The Lottery, which is helpful for the understanding of the fiction. Actually, Shirley Jackson wants to show her opinion to these conflicts in everyday life more than these in the story. Through the study of these contradictions, each of which forms a clue of the story, this paper has further explained Jackson’s intention to write The Lottery. Actually, Shirley Jackson wants to show her opinion to these conflicts in everyday life. Though these contradictions are common to everyone, there is no easy solution available. Hopefully, this study is helpful for the understanding of the fiction and of its author.

Key words: male and female, traditions and new things, religion and ethic, the sovereignty and the tyranny of the majority.

摘        要

美国当代小说家雪莉•杰克逊的《抽彩》是一篇广为流传的短篇小说。从1948年发表至今已有很多批评家从不同的角度对其进行了研究。这篇看似平常的小说，仔细品味起来会发现有着与众不同的深刻含义。本文结合前人的研究成果和小说本身中的一些例证，通过细致的分析，讨论了小说中存在的一些基本的矛盾，即男性与女性之间的矛盾、传统与新事物之间的矛盾、宗教与伦理间的矛盾以及主权在民与大众独裁之间的矛盾。每一种矛盾都构成了小说的一条线索，通过对这些矛盾的研究，本文进一步解释了雪莉•杰克逊的写作意图，同时对小说的主题有了更深层次的了解。事实上，雪莉•杰克逊并不只是为了写故事中所存在的矛盾，她更希望通过这篇小说来表达她对这些现实生活的见解,即：生活充满矛盾，而且难以解决。


关键词：男性与女性、传统与新事物、宗教与伦理、主权在民与大众独裁