“The Lottery,” a short story by Shirley Jackson, demonstrates the authors masterful use of irony. The story’s plot and ironic ending rely on the many textual clues that work to build a mood of suspense. Villagers in a small New England town participate in an annual ritual where an individual is selected and sacrificed. One specific example of irony demonstrated in the story is that it takes place in the summer. “The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green” (53). Summer represents the prime of somebody’s life. The irony in the story is that at the end somebody dies which contradicts with the reader’s expectations. Jackson befuddles the reader by making them feel like the story will be a joyful and exuberant one. Mr. Summers was the head of the lottery and served as the leader. “The lottery was conducted-as were the square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program – by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities” (54). Jackson uses many different last names as literary patterns for the duration of the story. For example Mr. Summers name represents life but the completely counters his role in the village of being in charged of the lottery in which the winner is sacrificed. All the villagers in the story enjoy the lottery and have a beatific time with it until it affects them.