Shirley Jackson, born December 14, 1916, dedicated much of her life to writing short stories and novels. Some of these include The Sundial, The Haunting of Hill House, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Jackson's stories, inspiring and influential to most, are also controversial to some. His most controversial story, published in 1948 in The New Yorker, is "The Lottery." The purpose for writing the story varies depending on the reader, but some might say that it "expresses Shirley Jackson's abysmal opinion of her fellow men" (Coulthard 228). Whatever the purpose, "The Lottery" remains one of the most famous stories to this day. Despite the controversy, readers also notice the underlying symbols and themes prevalent throughout the story, including the role of obedience. The role of obedience is seen through the encounters of characters including Old Man Warner and Tessie Hutchinson. The first person to introduce himself and introduce the role of obedience is Old Man Warner. Old Man Warner, being the oldest in the small town where the lottery is held, has survived more lotteries than any other person in his village. As Warner says, "Seventy-seventh year I've been in the lottery. Seventy-seventh time" (Jackson 266). Jackson uses Warner's perspective on his persistent good fortune to add drama to the long amount of time he has lived. You could say that Warner's luck is a coincidence because it coincides with the fact that he has the most obedient person and is basically the only person who doesn't want to get rid of the lottery. Others, however, might say that it is a direct correlation and that Warner doesn't get picked in the lotteries because he obeys tradition and God is rewarded... middle of paper... a lot.'" Explicator 48 (1990): 226 -28. MLA International Bibliography. Mary and John Gray Library, Beaumont, 22 February 2007. Grifiin, Amy A. "Jackson's 'The Lottery.'" Explicator 58 (1999). 46. MLA International Bibliography. Mary and John Gray Library, 22 February 2007. 'The Lottery': Symbolic Tour de Force. American Literature: A Journal of Literary History, Criticism, and Bibliography 46 (1974): 100-08.MLA International Bibliography. Ebscohost. Mary and John Gray Library, Beaumont. March 5, 2007.Yarmove, Jay A. "Jackson's 'The Lottery'." Explicator 52(1994): 242-45. MLA international bibliography. Ebscohost. Mary and John Gray Library, Beaumont. February 22. 2007.