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A Setting Analysis of “The Lottery” Setting is, as defined by Dr. Hugh H. Paschal, “an author’s use of time, place, and props” (374). Even though the setting in a literary work proves successful in achieving the author’s desired outcome, readers often neglect its importance. Using realism, the author brings the reader into his work and the environment feels natural to him. Setting can influence what the character does. His environment may contribute to his personality, values, attitudes, and problems. Organization provides the familiarity of a setting, allowing the reader to form a mental picture of the scene. Through detailed illustrations the author sets the atmosphere or mood of their work. Irony in setting allows the reader various insights of a literary work than what was initially presented (Paschal 46-49). For example, Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” initially offers a sense of calmness and peace in an ordinary town and leaves the reader in shock with the stoning of a random member in the community. First, Jackson uses the aspect of time to describe the season the work takes place. She writes, “June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fre