Symbolism In The Lottery And Harrison Bergeron

Firstly, the symbolism in both “The Lottery” and “Harrison Bergeron,” illustrates how governing authorities avoid engaging in change in their society, the author’s use of the lottery box and the mask to symbolize this. To begin with, the symbolism in “The Lottery” represents how villagers fear changes in their society, and this is shown when they continuously go on with tradition of the lottery box. This tradition has been in the village, for generations and yet they still practice it. Old Man Warner, who is the oldest man in the village, is considered the governing authority and he likes keeping things the same, so he does not alter the ritual. When Old Man Warner hears about the North village talking about giving up the lottery all he could say was that

Also, Old Man Warner believes that the lottery box will help their village by saving them food, water and other essential needs. They should acknowledge how they are living in the past by conducting this tradition, they need to move forward and change. This demonstrates that the villagers do not want change their society due to the fear of what will happen after the lottery box is gone. In contrast, in “Harrison Bergeron” the symbolism is the mask, which has a different interpretation that relates to how the authorities control their people in fear of changing there “perfect society”. This can be seen through the ballerinas while they are performing their dance on T.V. When George was looking at the ballerinas on T.V, he thought for himself that “[the ballerina] must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous” (Vonnegut 3). The ballerinas are wearing masks while, they perform their dances, in order for everyone to look and feel equally beautiful. One can not distinguish the difference between people, they all appear the