What is the foreshadowing is The Lottery?
Some of the foreshadowing in this story is ironic. For example, if you look at the opening paragraphs, it seems like a beautiful day, even a perfect day, so much so that something bad must happen to darken it. The names do then provide a more specific foreshadowing. “Graves” refers to death. “Delacroix” means “of the cross” in French, which indicates that a public killing like a crucifixion will happen. The pile of stones is a hint that something will happen; what could it be for, after all? The box for names is black, like a coffin. At one point, Mr. Summers says, “Little late today, folks.” If someone is “late,” he or she could be dead. Also, the woman who is the victim of the lottery almost forgets to go as she is washing dishes. She rushes up still wiping her hands and telling everyone how she is sorry to be late and almost missing the show…dishes, you know. She also starts shouting about how her husband didn’t have enough time to make his choice once it’s made evident that he ha
