Shirley Jackson was extremely particular in the names she chose for the characters in her short story "The Lottery." Several goals were achieved through his careful selection of names. The use of names such as Summers and Graves indicates the setting of the story and gives an initial impetus to the outcome. Evidence of antifeminism appears very early in the text of the story, but antifeminism is not only found in the text. The only women allowed to have a first name are Tessie Hutchinson, who does not conform to the role of woman in the community, and Janey Dunbar, who assumes the role of a man in the lottery. Tessie's daughters are given first names in her desperate attempt to increase her chances of survival. It is not only the characters themselves that give importance to the story, but their names also contribute a lot in shaping this story. Joe Summers, as a lottery official, is the key player in organizing and implementing the traditions of the lottery. . The name Jackson gave the official helps clarify the time of year the lottery takes place. Jay Yarmove suggests that Mr. Summer's attire, consisting of a "clean white shirt and blue jeans," was used by Jackson to signify that the time was in the 20th century (242). Summers' character was also used to highlight the sexism felt towards women in the community with his comments to Mrs. Dunbar: "The wife draws for her husband...don't you have a grown boy for him do it for you, Janey? (Arp and Johnson 281). Jackson places several hidden messages throughout his story. One in particular is the name of civil servant Mr. Summers' discreet assistant: Harry Graves. Graves is another important male figure in middle of paper ......e of a woman in this village. Other names are used to help define the season and to warn of the fate of Tessie Hutchinson. Adding to other sexist insinuations is the brilliance of Jackson's selectivity in who is given a first name and the way it is used to draw attention to the fact that this is a men's society. . The names Jackson gives his characters are just as important to the message of this story as the characters themselves. Works cited by Arp, Thomas R., Greg Johnson and Laurence Perrine. Perrine's literature: structure, sound and meaning. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print. Cervo, Nathan. “Jackson is the lottery.” Explainer. Flight. 50. Taylor and Francis, 1992. 183. Academic research completed. Internet. March 1, 2014. Yarmove, Jay A. “Jackson's The Lottery.” Explainer. Flight. 52. Taylor and Francis, 1994. 242. Academic research completed. Internet. February 16. 2014.