Question

Old Man Warner says, "Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.'" What does this seem to reveal about the original purpose of the lottery?

Answer 1

Answer:

This seems to reveal that the original purpose of the lottery was to offer a human sacrifice to ensure a good harvest.

Explanation:

"The Lottery" is a short story by author Shirley Jackson. Every June, in a rural village, someone is picked through a lottery. Instead of winning a prize, that person is stoned to death by the other villagers.

Not much is said to reveal when this custom began or why. The hint of its original purpose is given by the character Old Man Warner, a proud survivor of 76 lotteries. Old Man Warner criticizes the towns and cities that have given up on the lottery. He'd rather keep his blind faith and tradition. He is the one who says, "Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.'" This line reveals the lottery probably started as a way to provide human sacrifice to ensure a good harvest. It was so long ago that the villagers have forgotten such a purpose, keeping the lottery going simply out of habit.