The Lottery, by Shirly Jackson, is a short story that depicts a tradition that leads to an absurd result. Specifically, the members of a town conduct a lottery to decide who is killed by a mob of people. The story shows that thoughtlessly following a tradition can be dangerous. The characters in the story are unable to explain why they follow this lottery tradition. The only purpose they provide is that the tradition exists and has always been kept. An exchange between Old Man Warner and Mr. Adams shows that there is no reason for the lottery tradition. When Adams mentions that some people in another village are considering abolishing the tradition, Old Man Warner responds: Old Man Warner snorted. “Pack of crazy fools,” he said. “Listening …show more content…
There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly (7). Old Man Warner believes the lottery tradition must be kept to ensure the corn will grow. However, there is no actual reason to associate the lottery with corn crops. The lottery serves no real purpose and is conducted simply because it is tradition to do so. The lottery should be abolished because the tradition not only lacks any purpose, but is unfair, unjust, and cruel. The story shows that the men in the household participate in the initial drawing, and the women and children are bound to that drawing. As Mr. Summers explains, “‘Daughters draw with their husbands’ families, Tessie,’ Mr. Summers said gently” (8). When women are married, they draw initially with their husbands. Moreover, when the killing occurs, everyone participates in the murder, including children. The story begins with children collecting stones, and ends with the children using them to kill Mrs. Hutchinson: “The children had stones already, and someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles” (11). The story implies that even Davy, her own child, is expected to participate in her killing, even if it means throwing pebbles at her. The lottery unjustly results in the killing of a member of the town, but it also unjustly forces all of the members of the town to participate in the