Tradition; it is the backbone of every culture and civilization. It is what keeps the beliefs, philosophies and activities of societies alive, so that they are passed down from generation to generation. However, not all traditions are practiced with pure intentions. Some activities become so routine that people don't know life outside of them. Societies become so accustomed to “tradition” that they will participate in pastimes without questioning the ethics or morals of the situation. Ultimately, when tradition takes the place of a rationalizing mind, the result can be incredibly dangerous. The role of tradition is an underlying theme in Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery, forcing readers to ask "At what point do people put tradition aside and realize the recklessness of their actions in their practices?" The Lottery begins with the description of a clear, sunny summer day in a small village. Citizens begin to gather in the town square for the annual "lottery". Jackson begins the story by describing which groups are gathering in the square and their actions. Young boys picking up rocks with their pockets full of rocks and older women gossiping and laughing together nervously, foreshadowing the twisted ending of this chilling tale. The process involved in conducting the lottery is mentioned, revealing that lists had to be drawn up “…– of the heads of the household, of the heads of the household in each household, of the members of each household in each household.” (239) These lists are all the work of lottery official, Mr. Summers. Once all the citizens have gathered in the square, it's time to start the lottery. The head of the family, usually male, approaches Mr. Summers to select a paper from... the center of the paper... gruesome and strictly followed as tradition dictates. Davy Hutchinson doesn't seem bothered that his mother will be stoned because he has been prepared for this moment. The Lottery is a remarkable work of fiction not only for its extraordinary twist on the concept of tradition, but for its classic irony and impeccable use of symbolism. The Lottery asks itself whether tradition should be respected for what it is or evolve to adapt to new generations. When asked the purpose of writing The Lottery, Shirley Jackson responded that the story was to "shock the story's readers with a graphic demonstration of the needless violence and general inhumanity in their lives." (237) Jackson was a true visionary as an author who created an inspiring and alarming story for readers in a time when tradition still held strong sway in society.