1. At the time of its original publication, “The Lottery” stirred enormous debate and outcry — nearly all of it in the form of postal letters. How might that kind of response have played out today, with Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and other social media?
2. Looked at metaphorically — with the lottery in the story symbolizing social stigmatization, suspicion, shaming, and expulsion — do you think there’s a case to be made for it as “realistic” fiction? What might some examples of these kinds of practices be today?
3. Many people cite “The Lottery” as an inspiration for The Hunger Games (both the books and the films). Do you see this connection? What’s different, and what’s similar, between the two?
4. If a film were to be made of “The Lottery” today, how might it differ from the 1969 version? If you were to write a screenplay, what changes might you make? How would you cast the film, and what sort of town, period, or setting would you choose?
2. Looked at metaphorically — with the lottery in the story symbolizing social stigmatization, suspicion, shaming, and expulsion — do you think there’s a case to be made for it as “realistic” fiction? What might some examples of these kinds of practices be today?
3. Many people cite “The Lottery” as an inspiration for The Hunger Games (both the books and the films). Do you see this connection? What’s different, and what’s similar, between the two?
4. If a film were to be made of “The Lottery” today, how might it differ from the 1969 version? If you were to write a screenplay, what changes might you make? How would you cast the film, and what sort of town, period, or setting would you choose?
