Examples Of Blindly Following Traditions In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

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“It isn’t Fair” The word tradition is defined as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.” Traditions may be the backbone of every culture, however; not all traditions are practiced with pure intentions. “Some places have already quit the lotteries.” Shirley Jackson wrote The Lottery using symbolic references and foreshadowing to depict personality, characterize the background and portray the conflict to show how blindly following tradition leads to disaster, and what will come to be after The Lottery is conducted.
Primarily one of the main characters felt the horror of this brutal act: the so-called “winner” of the lottery, Tessie Hutchinson. On a clear and sunny day, the flowers were blossoming, and the grass was rich green, at first glance, the meeting in the square appeared to be a celebration; however, as we followed the story, we soon realized that something was terribly wrong. This so-called “lottery” was actually a dreadful process, in which the villagers chose one of their own to be stoned to death, a very dehumanizing effect, by friends, neighbors, and even …show more content…

Previously, she acted like it could have never happened to her, but she quickly became angry and yelled at the man she was just joking with, Mr. Summers. “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair.” Tessie immediately lost her validity in the lottery, and it was overwhelming to her and everyone in the town as well. She resented being the “winner” of The Lottery and fought for a redraw, but the villagers yelled back at her, “Be a good sport, Tessie and Mr. Hutchinson’s final words to his wife were “Shut up, Tessie”. This was a clear view of her behavior through the eyes of her so-called friends, neighbors, and even members of their own family. “Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon