What was the original intention behind the lottery short story?

The irony in 'The Lottery' is that the lottery, which is usually associated with winning something good, in this story is actually a brutal and senseless sacrifice. People blindly follow the tradition of the lottery without really thinking about its inhumane nature. They gather happily for what they think is a normal event, but it ends in a tragic death.

The meaning of 'The Lottery' could be seen as a cautionary tale about the power of collective behavior and the importance of critical thinking. It might also suggest that even seemingly innocent rituals can have hidden and disturbing implications.

Yes, sometimes noble intentions can stem from real-life experiences or events that inspire people to act in a certain way.

The lottery in the story represents a disturbing and mysterious tradition that has lost its original meaning over time.

The original meaning of the word 'cut by a thousand cuts' was 'the hills gradually become slower', which was a punishment for cutting off the flesh on a person's body.

Yes, it can be considered a short story depending on the specific work you're referring to.

The lottery story could have originally aimed to comment on societal structures or to present a cautionary tale. Maybe it was intended to make readers question conventional beliefs and expectations.

Lottery winning is mostly about chance, but some people might think there are 'tricks' behind. One aspect could be analyzing past winning numbers statistically. However, in reality, each draw is independent, so there's no guaranteed way. Some might also look into the stories of big winners to find patterns, but often it's just coincidence.

Stunned originally meant to be in a daze because of a sudden appearance or arrival.

To be honest, I can't recall who wins the lottery precisely in that short story. It's a story that keeps you guessing until the end. Maybe you should give it a read and figure it out for yourself.