“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a story full of warnings and subtexts about the dangers that a subjugated society can represent. Although the opening is deceptively cheerful and light-hearted, Jackson uses a series of symbols and ominous syntax to help create the apprehensive and dark tone with which the story ends. His depiction of the city's people blindly following tradition represents the world during World War II, when people's inability to not recklessly accept and listen to authority leads to disastrous consequences. . Shirley Jackson uses a wide range of techniques to convey the idea that recklessly following and accepting traditions and orders can lead to disastrous consequences. The opening paragraphs of the story contain a light, carefree tone with phrases such as: “The morning… was clear and sunny, with the cool warmth of a high summer day” (1) and “the children gathered first… they began playing loudly” (1). Jackson does not lead the reader to think that something sinister will happen. However, once the narrative shifts from children to adults, there is the first hint of something other than the carefree excitement of the city; The men... stood together... their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed" (2). The story proceeds to provide some background on the lottery unless Mr. Summers prepares to begin and "A sudden silence fell on the crowd" (3), at which point the reader is more than doubtful that the lottery is something one wants to win. At the beginning of Mr. Summers, the crowd is described as "quiet", "not look around" and "grave", the subtle change in tone as the names continue to be drawn creates a growing sense of apprehension until Mr. Summers calls time and there is "a long pause... in the middle of sheet... act as opposites as they symbolize the fight against traditions and the retention of them. The gradual shift in tone in the story helps create a shocking ending that effectively demonstrates the dangers of recklessly upholding traditions. Starting on a beautiful summer day, the reader does not expect a sinister ending until the clues slowly reveal the tone to change dramatically. Jackson paints a poorly received picture of post-World War II America, describing the danger of blindly following and accepting traditions. Americans considered the story shocking and disturbing as they could most likely see traces of their own actions mirrored by those of those in the city callously killing their neighbor. Shirley Jackson uses a wide range of techniques to convey the idea that recklessly following and accepting traditions and orders can lead to disastrous consequences.