Lottery :: essays research papers

"Mood Shifts"     Many authors use supposition shifts in their stories to leave a greater impact on the lector and guide it easier to understand. The particular state of mind or feelings of a person is ones wittiness. Various aspects of ones surroundings can warp a mood. A story often creates a specific mood or even causes a number of different moods to arise in a short period of time. Shirley Jacksons short story, "The drawing off" does just that, by forcing different moods to surface in various sections of the story. The halcyon mood at the storys beginning, the anxiety that gradually builds, and the eventual(prenominal) horror at the storys conclusion demonstrate mood shifts in this story.     The mood at the beginning of the story is very gifted and pleasant. "The morning of June 27 was clear and sunny, with the fresh worth of a full-summer twenty-four hours the flowers were blooming profusing, and the grass w as richly green"(112). This quote describes a good-looking scenic picture, which gives the reader an implication of peace and calmness. The village seems to be conducting a normal, uneventful day. At ten oclock the villagers began to gather in the square. Everyone in the town is moving ab come on, having conversations with the other townspeople who gather in the square. "Soon the men began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes"(112). This describes how postal code is happening and it is just a regular day with ordinary conversations. The readers mood is one of happiness and calmness. It is not until further through the story the reader begins to sight small details that imply that something out of the ordinary is about to occur in the townspeoples still lives.     The cheerful pleasant mood at the beginning of the story tardily fades, as the tension and suspicion rise. Within the story the read er begins to detect small hints which suggest everything is not as it seems. The anxiety grows as the drafting approaches. "He held it firmly be one corner as he turned and went hastily back to his place in the throng, where he stood a little apart from his family, not looking down                                                         Neale 2at his hand"(115). The mans nervous movements imply that some crotchety action is going to take place. "By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their striking hands, turning them over and over nervously"(115).