Dehumanization In The Lottery By Shirley Hardie Jackson

Dehumanization refers to the act of considering some individuals as less than human or not worthy of moral consideration, which often leads to conflicts and tragedies. Just like what happened in the Lottery villager’s blind acceptance of the lottery has allowed them to stone a human being to death for a ritual purpose that has already been forgotten for a long time. This is absolutely tragic and dehumanizing, dehumanizing might become a trend among people once it exists, which reflects the mob mentality among the villagers.

The story takes place in a small American town in the middle of summer. The people of the village gather in the square for an old tradition -- the lottery. At the beginning of the event, if the male head of the family is

Her writing career spanned over two decades, during which she produced six novels, two memoirs, and a collection of short stories. Jackson is widely regarded as the most important American horror writer of the 20th century. She is known for her gothic horrors and her unique ability to expose the dark side of human nature. Jackson's writing has been a significant influence on some of the most notable writers of the modern era. Her works have been praised by renowned authors such as Neil Gaiman and Stephen King. Jackson's signature style includes a seemingly idyllic setting of a cozy, sunny day, which is then shattered by the sudden plunge of ordinary people into the abyss of humanity. Her works challenge readers' perspectives and question the authenticity of human behavior. In her writings, Jackson was a master of using contrasts to evoke emotions in her readers. Her works often took place in a picturesque countryside in Ireland, which provided a stark contrast to the darkness that was revealed as the story progressed. This approach gave her stories a unique and eerie atmosphere, which made them stand out in the genre of horror. Among Jackson's most famous works is her novel, The Lottery, which was first published in The New Yorker in 1948. The novel was an instant classic and has been debated by literary critics ever since. The Lottery is a disturbing story that delves deep into the human

In the case of the lottery, it is this blind acceptance that allows such a barbaric act to take place. Even children are involved in the ritual, collecting stones to be used as weapons in the killing. The fact that they are willing to participate in such an act demonstrates how easily humans can be conditioned to accept the status quo, even if it goes against their inherent moral compass. The lack of rebellion against this rotten tradition is indicative of the power of conformity. People are willing to tolerate bad things happening in their community because the probability of it happening to them is low, and the cost of changing it is high. This mentality is exemplified by the villagers' refusal to replace the old black lottery box with a new one, despite its obvious need for replacement. The box symbolizes the dark side of tradition, a tradition that is kept alive despite the harm it causes. The black box is a powerful metaphor in the story, representing not only the dark side of tradition, but also death. It has borne witness to countless murders in the past, present, and future, and is the main instrument of murder in the lottery. The fact that the villagers continue to use it, despite its connection to death, highlights the hold that tradition can have on