Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery" is one of those once read never to be forgotten pieces.

Its power seems to lie in the deceptive opening, lulling us with the nostalgia of small town rituals and traditions, things that are customarily benign just by virtue of being old.

Jackson's handling of suspense is masterful at the beginning of the story.  We read so many details that cumulatively begin to jar on our consciousness, though at the beginning we are none the wiser as the small boys carefully gather their piles of stones.

By the time we begin to suspect the worse, the awful web gathers about its victim and we watch helplessly as the spectacle unfolds before us.  Follow this link for a discussion of the idea of a "lottery" itself.

It's a story that has, traditionally, excited lots of comment.   If you search for information be ready for the irritating number of discussion thread "tell me what happens in this story -- I'm handing in a paper in two hours" type comments.

There are, however, some useful sites.  One of them is something a little different.  It's an account of a class in which "The Lottery" is being taught with a discussion of student responses that you may find interesting in lieu of a classroom experience here. 

Another curious resource is an essay written, partly about Shirley Jackson herself, and partly about the area upon which the story is based.

Alternatively, go here for an interesting essay on the story