The Lottery and Other Stories Lesson Plan

In “Afternoon in Linen,” why doesn’t Harriet want to share her art? Why do the adults insist she must?

The most straightforward answer is that Harriet doesn’t want to be harassed by Howard and mocked by her peers! The adults completely ignore Howard’s cruelty to her, so naturally she must look out for herself. An additional reading is that Harriet’s art is personal, and she doesn’t want it to be shared with those who won’t understand it, and who will shame her for being vulnerable. The reasons why the adults insist she share may prove more difficult to understand and identify with. They seem to not care at all about Harriet’s feelings. Harriet’s grandmother may be...