Narrative Ethics Upheld in Shirley Jacksons The Lottery

Contemporary narratives often return to familiar communities to uncover the moral tensions hidden in everyday life. Such works invite readers to question how social traditions influence choice, behaviour and responsibility. Through the lens of Narrative Ethics, storytelling becomes a space where ethical awareness is activated through emotional and reflective engagement. The study analyses Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” using Narrative Ethics to show how its calm, routine tone intensifies the horror of unquestioned traditions. Jackson portrays an ordinary village participating in a violent ritual without reflection, revealing how cruelty is sustained when it becomes a normalized cultural practice. The narrator’s neutral voice positions readers to confront their assumptions about morality and collective behaviour. The study argues that “The Lottery” highlights the dangers of inherited customs that remain unchallenged. It suggests that ethical understanding demands critical engagement rather than passive acceptance of tradition. Ultimately, the research shows how Jackson’s narrative exposes moral failures within everyday life and encourages readers to reconsider the limits of their own ethical boundaries.