The narrator's obsession with the old man's "vulture eye" is a symbol of his guilt over killing the old man. The narrator is constantly haunted by the image of the old man's eye, which he sees as a symbol of his own guilt and shame.

The protagonist's descent into madness is caused by a combination of factors, including her husband's domineering personality, her isolation from society, and her lack of intellectual stimulation. Her husband's domineering personality prevents her from expressing herself freely, her isolation from society cuts her off from potential sources of support, and her lack of intellectual stimulation leaves her feeling bored and restless.

The annual lottery is a symbol of the community's fear of outsiders, its need for a scapegoat, and its desire to maintain its traditions. The lottery is a ritual that is used to expel an outsider from the community, and it is also a way for the community to reaffirm its own sense of unity and identity.

The protagonist's desire for a necklace is a symbol of her social status, her vanity, and her desire to be loved. The necklace is a material object that represents the protagonist's desire for a better life, and it is also a symbol of her own self-worth.

The protagonist and his wife's act of selflessness is a symbol of their love for each other. They are willing to sacrifice their most prized possessions in order to make each other happy, which shows the depth of their love.