How did your initial understanding of the term “lottery” compare to the lottery in the story? How did your understanding help or confuse your interpretation of the story?

The lottery does not exist just like the brotherhood does not exist. The lottery is simply meant to appease the Proles and keep their priorities on useless fantasies rather than the fact they live in abject poverty. Giving the Proles alcohol, drugs, porn and the lottery ensures that they will not question the Party or Big Brother.