<P> "The Lottery" is a short story written by Shirley Jackson first published in the June 26, 1948 issue of The New Yorker . The story describes a fictional small town which observes an annual ritual known as "the lottery". </P> <P> "The Lottery" has been described as "one of the most famous short stories in the history of American literature". It initially received a negative response, which surprised both Jackson and The New Yorker . Readers cancelled subscriptions and sent hate mail throughout the summer . The Union of South Africa banned the story . </P> <P> Details of contemporary small - town American life are embroidered upon a description of an annual ritual known as "the lottery". In a small village in New England of about 300 residents, the locals are in an excited yet nervous mood on June 27 . Children gather stones as the adult townsfolk assemble for their annual event, which in the local tradition is practiced to ensure a good harvest (Old Man Warner quotes an old proverb: "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon"), though there are some rumors that nearby communities in the north are talking about giving up the lottery, and some have done so . </P> <P> The lottery preparations start the night before with Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves making the paper slips and the list of all the families . Once the slips are finished, they are put into a black box, which is stored overnight in a safe place at the coal company . The story briefly mentions how the ballot box has been stored over the years in various places in the town, including a grocery store shelf, a barn, and in the post office basement . </P>

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