Similarities Between The Lottery And What You Pawn I Will Redeem

Tradition is the act of continuing cultural experiences and messages. Even though different cultures have different traditions they all still serve the same meaning, it is the way for one generation to speak with another. This also is a way to share experiences that one might never have on their own. While traditions can create a sense of identity, they may also destroy the integrity of a society. Although tradition in both short stories is powerful, in “The Lottery” tradition is negative and cruel, whereas in “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” tradition is powerful and crucial to the identity of an individual. Tradition is powerful in both “The Lottery” and “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”. In “The Lottery” several characters hint that the community’s

Throughout the story Jackson is not connected with anyone and lonely because some of his friends have abandoned him because he is an alcoholic and spends his money on alcohol. A tradition that is prevalent is the regalia that his grandmother had made and worn for old powwows. The tradition of this regalia was vital to him and his family and was passed on throughout the family. Jackson was walking down the street and looked into a pawnshop because Indians “have built-in pawnshop radar” (4) and he spotted his grandmother’s regalia. Jackson says “That’s my grandmother’s regalia.” (4) After walking into the shop and telling the white man behind the counter that it was his grandmothers “the pawnbroker looked at me like I was a liar. I understood. Pawnshops are filled with liars. “I’m not lying,” I said. “Ask my friends here. They’ll tell you.” (4) This quote can imply that the pawnbroker was racist toward Jackson because he was Indian and he did not have very much money and perhaps was trying to steal it. The pawnbroker was not willing to give Jackson the regalia because there was no physical evidence that it was his. Overtime, after begging and begging the man behind the counter lowers the price. But, not to where Jackson Jackson can afford it. After, days went by Jackson went back to the store, and the man said “Take it.”(29). When

In the short story “The Lottery” tradition has a negative impact on the lives of the citizens and also destroys family bonds. “The Lottery” takes place in a small village were Mr. Summers is the director of the lottery since he has devoted a lot of time to the village. He and Mr. Graves write a list of all the families in the little village. Tessie Hutchinson arrived at the town square late because she is not sure what day it is. Mr. Graves picked five pieces of paper and put them into the box. Tessie Hutchinson was selected as the person to be stoned. The author writes “A stone hit her on the side of the head. Old Man Warner was saying, “Come on, come on, everyone. ” (14) This quote has a negative meaning because Old Man Warner is encouraging the people to throw the stones at Tessie as it were a fun activity. Another example that this is a family event is when the author writes “The children had stones already. And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles.” (13) The children are being raised in this cruel society and the bond between Little Davy Hutchinson and Tessie is now broken because Davy is pelting his mom with stones. The father, Bill Hutchinson, thinks that tradition is more powerful than life because the authors says “Bill Hutchinson went over to his wife and forced the slip of paper out of her hand. It had a black spot on it.” (13) This quote shows that Bill is sacrificing his wife because of