Question

In the story "The Lottery," how does the author use foreshadowing to increase suspense in the first four paragraphs of the story?

a) By hinting at unusual behavior in the townspeople.
b) By describing the cheerful atmosphere in the town.
c) By introducing the main character's inner thoughts.
d) By focusing on the historical background of the town.

Answer 1

Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery' employs foreshadowing in the first few paragraphs by describing a cheerful atmosphere and subtle oddities among the townspeople, building suspense and foreshadowing the dark outcome.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, the author uses foreshadowing to increase suspense in the first four paragraphs. Jackson describes a seemingly normal and cheerful atmosphere in the town, which contrasts with subtle hints of unusual behavior among the townspeople. The fact that the children collect stones seems innocent at first but takes on a chilling significance later in the story. This creates a mood of suspense as it hints at the dark conclusion without revealing it outright. Foreshadowing is a literary device where authors give hints about plot developments to come, often building suspense or establishing a certain mood within the narrative.