In Shirley Jackson’s short story ‘The Lottery’, the names Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves carry significant weight and symbolism that contribute to the narrative’s unsettling theme. Mr. Summers, who conducts the lottery, embodies the idea of a cheerful facade. His name suggests warmth and light, which is ironic considering the dark tradition he upholds. The lottery, a ritual of violence, is presented in a festive environment, reflecting how normalizing such practices can obscure their true nature.
On the other hand, Mr. Graves, who plays the role of the undertaker, represents death and the grim reality that lurks beneath the town’s social customs. His name aptly signifies the grave consequences of the lottery, emphasizing the mortality associated with the ritual. Together, these names highlight the juxtaposition between the surface-level joy of the community and the underlying horror of their actions.
Jackson’s choice to give these characters names that evoke contrasting themes helps to deepen the reader’s understanding of the story’s critique of conformity and tradition. It serves as a poignant reminder of how communities can become desensitized to violence and the moral implications of blindly following societal norms.