Write a full rough draft in which you imitate the author’s original style and voice to change the conclusion of the text. in the story The Lottery by: Shirley Jackson
Begin your alternate ending with a sentence that appears on the last page of the original short story to transition from the original author's voice to your own.
1 -1½ pages, double spaced, correct MLA format
Creative ending that follows the natural progression of events from the story
Proper spelling and conventions
As the villagers closed in on her, Tessie Hutchinson looked around desperately for a way to escape. The stones in their hands seemed to weigh heavily on her own heart, as she realized that she had been chosen as this year's “winner” of the lottery. She pushed through the crowd, trying to reason with them, letting the fear overpower her senses. But it was futile. The villagers closed in tighter with each step, their eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and cruelty.
As they prepared to throw their stones, a voice, loud and commanding, cut through the tension-filled air.
"Stop!"
It was Mr. Summers, the lottery conductor himself, standing tall amongst the villagers. His face was etched with a mix of confusion and realization.
"I... I made a mistake," he stuttered, his voice shaking. "A terrible, terrible mistake."
The villagers all turned to him, their faces a mirror of bewilderment. Mr. Summers stepped forward, clearing his throat before speaking again.
"Tessie Hutchinson is innocent," he declared. "I have the wrong paper. The real chosen one is..."
He paused, hesitating for a moment, and then continued.
"Me."
The crowd went silent, their shock and disbelief palpable in the air. The stones slipped from their hands, forgotten, as they stared at Mr. Summers.
"But how can this be?" someone shouted from the back, breaking the silence. "How could you make such a mistake?"
Mr. Summers bowed his head, his face filled with remorse.
"I don't know," he whispered. "I don't know how this happened. But it did, and I am truly sorry."
The villagers began to disperse, leaving Mr. Summers standing alone, surrounded by piles of stones meant for the innocent. His shoulders sagged as he approached Tessie, who was still trembling with fear.
"I can't... I can't believe this," she managed to say, her voice barely a whisper.
Mr. Summers looked at her, his own guilt etched deep in his eyes.
"I know," he replied softly. "And I can never undo the pain I have caused you and your family. But I promise you this – there will be no more lotteries. We, as a community, will find a way to live without this bloodshed."
Tessie looked at him, her fear slowly dissipating, replaced with a flicker of hope.
"Can we... can we really change?" she asked, her voice filled with cautious optimism.
Mr. Summers nodded, a determined look crossing his face.
"We have to," he replied. "Because if we don't, we are no better than the stones in our hands, ready to take innocent lives."
Together, they walked away from the village square, leaving behind the traditions that had bound them for far too long. As they started their journey towards a future without the dark shadow of the lottery, the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a warm glow upon their path, as if to signal a new beginning.
And so, the lottery that had once claimed innocent lives came to an end. In its place, a community was built on compassion and understanding, where the power of unity triumphed over the darkness that had haunted their past.