Lottery (short story)

This article is about the short story by Premchand. For the story by Shirley Jackson, see The Lottery.
"Lottery
लॉटरी"
Author Premchand
Country India
Language Hindi
Genre(s) short story fiction
Published in Zamana, Satsahitya Prakashan
Publication date 1933

Lottery (Hindi: लॉटरी, Urdu: منشی پریم چند‎) is a Hindustani short story written by the Indian author Premchand.[1] The story is told in narrative form from the voice of an unnamed school teacher.[2] The story has been adapted to plays, with theatrical performances presented by Lalit Parimoo's Natsamaj Theatre Group, as well as Mujeeb Khan's Ideal Drama and Entertainment Academy.

Plot summary

Lottery is told in first person, from the point of view of a school teacher.The story presents experiences of the school teacher, his friend Vikram's, and Vikram's extended family's.The teacher and Vikram discuss the lottery and speculate over their actions if either were to win a prize worth ten lakhs of Indian rupees.Vikram states that if he won the lottery, he would take a trip around the world, in order to analyze the traditions and religions of the different countries.He would also establish a large public library, which would offer the world's finest books.The teacher shared with his friend that rather than touring the world, he would deposit all of the money in the bank, in return for the accumulated interest.When Vikram realizes that he lacked the funds to purchase a ticket, he approached the teacher and suggested that they pool their funds and buy a ticket together.The teacher and Vikram each raised five rupees to buy the ticket.While they agreed to divide any and all winnings, Vikram purchased the ticket in his name.While the teacher and his friend purchase their lottery ticket, Vikram's father, Bade Thakur Sahib; uncle, Chhote Thakur Sahib (real brother of Vikram's father);and elder brother (Prakash) also each buy their own tickets. When Vikram's family learns that he had purchased a ticket with the teacher, they are not happy and begin scolding Vikram and questioning the teachers motive in partnering with Vikram. At the same time, they all begin fighting over what they would do if any of them were to win the lottery. In anticipation of winning the lottery, the different members of Vikram's family begins to contemplate their actions.Vikram's father and uncle, both of whom were confirmed atheists, began attending temple on a regular basis.They also began competing to see who would donate more money to charity.If one brother donated a specific amount of money, then the other would donate double the amount. Prakash, also began increasing his faith and began visiting several local monasteries.Vikram's mother, who generally prided herself on wearing the latest fashion, began fasting and praying.As the day of the lottery drawing approached, Vikram and the teacher become suspicious of each other.The teacher begins to question whether or not Vikram would keep their agreement to equally share the winnings.The teacher realized that he had not signed an agreement with Vikram acknowledging that they had gone into a partnership to purchase a ticket with the intention of sharing any money won.Everything relied on Vikram's honesty as his friend.At one point, Vikram expressed that he would be sorry if they won, because he would have to share the money.They ended up arguing and the teacher demanded that his friend sign a document, acknowledging that they had entered into an agreement.When Vikram dismissed his friend's demands, the teacher realized that he could no longer trust his friend and stated that if Vikram refused to sign an agreement, it would be the end of their friendship. The teacher additionally implied that there would be legal recourse if necessary. At the same time that Vikram and the teacher were arguing, Vikram's father and uncle were doing the same, with his mother attempting to mediate between the two brothers.While the arguments began to escalate, with various members of the family shouting threats back and forth, Vikram's brother, Prakash arrives home, limping as he walks in the room with injuries to his head and hand.When his father asks him what had happened, he says that he had gone to Jhakkar Baba, who has a power to grant wishes. Prakash shared with his family that before Jhakkar Baba grants wishes, he tests them by throwing rocks at them. While most visitors run away, those that withstand the attack will have their wishes granted.When Prakash survived the stoning, he was assured that he would be the sole winner of the lottery.Regardless of their belief in Jhakkar Baba, when the winner of the lottery is announced, a man from Africa wins, rather than any of the characters in the story.The plot is a dramatic irony, with the story ending with surprise ending and a moral message.[3]

Compilations and adaptations

Lottery appears in Indian textbooks and in compilation's of moral education books. It is also included in a compilation of Premchand's writing, entitled The Premchand Reader, Selected Stories 2, as translated and adapted by Anupa Lal. The story has also been adapted into several plays, including performances by Lalit Parimoo's Natsamaj Theatre Group[4] and Mujeeb Khan's Ideal Drama and Entertainment Academy.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "the lottery". Goodbooks.in. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  2. ↑ "Review of Premchand Story, Lottery". telugupeople.com. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  3. ↑ "Stories of relevance". Deccanherald.com. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  4. ↑ "Plays". Lalitparimoo.com. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  5. ↑ "Romancing the WORDSMITH". Indian Express. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2012-08-20.

Further reading

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