Setting and mood are important elements in many of the stories in this unit. Choose one story and describe some aspects of its setting: where it takes place; what mood is created by the details of weather, place, and time; and how this setting helps to convey the theme of the story.
In the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the setting takes place in a small village on a clear and sunny summer day. The mood created by the details of the weather, place, and time is one of peacefulness and contentment. This setting helps to convey the theme of the story, which is that of the dangers of blindly following tradition and the consequences of not questioning the status quo. The peacefulness of the setting serves to contrast with the violence of the lottery itself, highlighting the absurdity of the situation and the need to question the traditions that are taken for granted.
