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Most people know the lottery as a contest to win money. But in the short story, “The Lottery,” written by Shirley Jackson, the lottery is not a simple game competing for money. In this small village’s version of the lottery, everyone must draw out of a box, and if their family is chosen then the whole family must redraw and the death of a member is decided. After the fate is decided, the rest of the village throws stones at him or her until he or she dies. The villages reasoning of this process is they believe it guarantees a plentiful crop season.
The Danger of Tradition Traditionally many ancient societies would kill their people to sacrifice to God in order to obtain rain or a good harvest. These mindlessly, followed traditions were never critically thought about and therefore citizens died year after year. A similar tragedy occurs in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”. This story features a civilization much like our own but with one small difference, the town’s people hold a lottery every year and the town stones who ever loses to death.
Unveiling the Dangers of Blind Tradition: An Analysis of Shirley Jackson's Short Story "The Lottery” by Grace Lutsyk Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" paints a terrifying picture of a neighborhood trapped in a dark tradition. Mrs. Hutchingson stands out among the characters as a significant woman whose unflinching allegiance to lottery customs prompts serious concerns about the dangers of blind loyalty. In this study of Mrs. Hutchingson's personality, we examine her adherence to tradition, resistance to change, maternal instinct, and ultimate awakening. We learn about the consequences of mindlessly adhering to damaging traditions, as well as the opportunity for personal growth and societal change via her journey.
If you’ve ever purchased a lottery ticket, you may be shocked to learn that there is a 96.9% chance that you have purchased a losing ticket. Before you go out there and spend all of your spare income on Powerball tickets on the 3.1% chance you will win 175 million, keep in mind that the expected value of playing the game is winning $1.78, according to a Business Insider article “Three Math Facts That Every Powerball Player Needs To Know.” Most play with the hope they’ll win, but it’s all in good fun. But what about playing a lottery in which the “winning” results in your death by stoning? Chances are you would pass.
Despite the rationality of traditions, countless individuals strive to uphold and preserve practices and beliefs passed down through generations. Shirley Jackson captures this theme in her story entitled “The Lottery” published in 1948. Releasing this text shortly after World War II, during this time, the United States experienced significant social change, shifting the perspective and “effect on every aspect of life”( ). Ms. Jackson illustrates the irrationality of unanalyzed and unquestioned traditions through her story “The Lottery.” The story is set in a small, idyllic village on a bright summer day.
In “The Lottery” by “Shirley Jackson,” we are introduced by the author telling us about some of the society's’ traditions such as ‘The Lottery.’ The lottery is an ancient tradition that has been going on for several years in this small village. They each pick a slip of paper which determines if they have won the lottery or not. This lottery is not like most but, let's just say it’s not a very rewarding prize. By the end of the story, the reader can see that hurting others is never entertainment.
Have you ever done something that you regretted since other people were doing it? Have you ever thought about this and wondered “Would I have done this on my own?” In the dystopian novel “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, Lois Lowry shows the theme of people following tradition by showing sameness throughout the book. In the dystopian novel ”The Lottery” they show the theme of tradition through a long running tradition that is outdated.
The beginning of the story was setting as an original and charming community; it seems like a traditional town, the people are kindly and friendly. However, the setting of this story is very ironic, the horrific purpose of the lottery is through the whole story until the end. Mrs. Jackson cleverly imparts, that a break from tradition would be foolish and it is what separates them from the barbaric and primitive times. “The Lottery” was published after World War 2. The most people cannot face the truth and hope run away the war and death.
The Lottery is a short story ,published by Shirley Jackson, in a magazine called The New Yorker in 1948. The story takes place in a village with the population around 300 people. In the village the grass is green, clear and sunny, flower, rich grass, and a farming community. The community relies on The Lottery to bring them good crops. The Lottery is a old tradition the town does.
Abby Conlon Gilchrist English 1102 9 April 2023 “The Lottery” Lotteries can be defined in many different ways; the common theme between them is that within a community, someone becomes chosen. Today's most typical lottery is lottery tickets at the grocery store and gas stations. It's a common addiction today because people are money-hungry. Everyone wants to win the money and be chosen. A more negative and life-threatening version of this is shown in the Vietnam War in 1969 when they held drafts where all eligible men were required to participate, and the men chosen were sent to war.
Historically, in every culture, important practices exist which transmit traditional values to subsequent generations as traditions is a critical piece of our culture. They help developing and moulding the attitudes and characters of humans, forming the structure and foundation of families and our society. Notwithstanding, many traditions promote social unity and coherent, some traditions erode the integrity, psychological and physical health of individuals as can be seen in the story “The Lottery” writer by Shirley Jackson. In the story, head of the families take a lot in choosing the family that going to sacrifice one of the family members to increase the crop yield. Furthermore, the story “Looking for Rain God” written by Bessie Head reflects the belief in traditional practices, resulting in merciless death of two children.
In her story "The Lottery", Shirley Jackson implies the negative consequences of blindly following tradition through the acceptance, by the villagers, of the tradition of the lottery. Jackson suggests that the people of the village are afraid to give up the little tradition they have, even if it is not good. Every year after the lottery, the conductor of the lottery, Mr. Summers suggests that they should build a new box but, “No one [likes] to upset even as much tradition as [is] represented by the box.” (Jackson, 1). The black box symbolizes ritual and tradition.
Cultural rituals, close mindedness, unwillingness to change or speak out and do what is right in the face of one’s beliefs or cultural norms. In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the characters are faced with a custom that has been handed down from generation to generation, some question the current significance, while others blindly accept the outcome. Shirley Jackson, begins her story with show and narrative, it is a normal day, just like any other in the town, children playing and filling their pockets with stones, but for what? Both children and adults are slowly assembling at the town square yet, from the beginning you can feel a sense of hesitation though it is non-verbally communicated.
At a time when basic religious beliefs and traditions were being questioned by academia, author Shirley Jackson penned a poignant attack against those who blindly accepted values and traditions in her short story, “The Lottery.” The Lottery is presented as an event that has always occurred throughout the region's history without any opposition. Nonchalantly, the entire village commits homicide at the finale. Finally, aspects of the traditional lottery evolved without notice or were forgotten by the villagers. Within “The Lottery,” author Shirley Jackson embeds the theme of blindly accepting traditions as illustrated by the actions of the villagers.
The villagers on “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson are afraid to let go of their tradition, the lottery. They are concern of unknown consequences that will happen if they change their old customs. So, for every year, the villagers gather at the square to do the lottery at 10 AM . The villagers are afraid to quit their outdated tradition because they think that changing their old customs will only bring trouble.
