Human nature can be characterized as being positive, capable of altruism and goodness which sets humankind apart from savage animals; however, human nature possesses a dark side, namely cruelty, and it is capable of barbarism like any beast. In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, cruelty is part of human nature, and the participants of the lottery demonstrate human cruelty through violence towards one another; markedly, by exhibiting desensitization to violence and the acceptance of violence resulting in internal dysfunction which is perpetuated yearly. Participants of the lottery belong to a close-knit community, and every year the community hosts an enigmatic lottery draw. The conclusion of the lottery draw is only mysterious until the outcome …show more content…
Adam’s and Old Man Warner’s discussion about the idea of giving up the lottery. Old Man Warner states that “there’s always been a lottery” (Jackson 142). The inference of Old Man Warner’s words and tone suggests that there will always be a lottery, and that it should always remain, that it is wrong to question its existence. Given the violent nature of the lottery’s results and its enduring tradition throughout generations of participants, each succeeding generation obviously grows accustom to the violence and brutality it calls for. The children, for example, readily prepare for the occasion by amassing “a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and [guarding] it” (Jackson 139). The gathering and guarding of the pile of stones suggests that the children were preparing for the lottery’s conclusion, and even anticipate participating in it as if it is a game of dodgeball. The eventual outcome and demise of a community member at the end of the lottery event does not faze the youths demonstrating a numbness towards …show more content…
The participants of the lottery were familiar with one another either as neighbors or family and yet readily turned on one another in adherence to the lottery rite. This is counter to what makes a community binding and strong. That friends turn against friends, neighbors turn against neighbors is exemplified when Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Delacroix “both laughed softly” (Jackson 141). The two women are familiar with one another and share a laugh when Mrs. Hutchinson arrives to attend the lottery event revealing how wicked human nature can be, as Mrs. Delacroix readily turns on Mrs. Hutchinson. The ability to have a friend, yet turn on that person so readily is a gauge of how emotionally removed the participants are from one another; however, it is especially conspicuous when Bill Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchinson’s husband “forced the slip of paper out of her hand” (Jackson 144). Coldly seizing the paper to reveal that she possessed the marked ticket indicates a lack of empathy, not of a friend and a spouse, but as a participant removed from any loyalty to family, instead loyal to the lottery tradition. By holding the slip of paper Mrs. Hutchinson had drawn, Mr. Hutchinson seals his wife’s fate knowing full well what will come next. Mr. Hutchinson had made the choice to essentially betray his
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Show MoreShirley Jackson’s The Lottery was published in the 1940’s, yet its’ take on blind faith and tradition has relevance today. The short story opens with what the narrator describes as a “sunny and clear” day, June 27th to be exact. The citizens of a small village begin to gather in the village square to partake in a tradition of what is called the “lottery.” Some show excitement for the day’s events, others seemingly go about the motions; one character is stated to nearly have forgotten the day altogether. We first notice signs of hesitation toward the lottery when Mr. Martin and his son, Baxtar hesitate to step forward to help Mr. Summers, the leader of the ceremony, steady the stool the black box holding the lottery remains on.
In the story, “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson, the greatest human failing as far as Jackson is concerned is humanity following tradition thoughtlessly without questioning why it happens allowing for unnecessary violence to take place. This is demonstrated in “The Lottery” through many aspects and specific details. Firstly, the calmness of the atmosphere expresses how the people of the village view this day as a normal happening showing that they are following this ritual without thinking about the tragic outcome it causes. Secondly, the use of characters illustrates how the villagers are so blinded by this tradition that no one understands the harm that is occurring from this tradition and the actual reasons behind the lottery itself. And
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates once said that “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Through this quote, he suggests that in order for a man to be truly wise, he must be open-minded, and not be prone to having his mind controlled or his opinions shifted. This type of man is not only smart, but is able to look at ideas and events from multiple angles, while retaining enough critical thought to analyze and disprove any fallacies in his logic. However, this state of open-mindedness is exactly what many dystopian societies lack. The citizens in many of these stories are easily manipulated by existing knowledge without the capability to critically think or reflect upon them.
People are often go with other people to help fit in and some groups are made of friends you know or people who have a similar mind set, however people groups with similar mind sets are not normally bad but some wish to do things that may harm an outsider 's person or property. In Shirley Jackson story "The Lottery" it tells of a town were the people have an annual lottery and the "winner" gets stoned to death. The story shows how you should not follow a group of people if it means going against who you are. In "The Lottery" their are two characters who are friends Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Dunbar the story shows how the to are friends but the when the Mrs. Hutchinson was picked by the lottery this is how Mrs. Dunbar reacted "[Mrs.] Dunbar had
On a daily basis thousands of people participate in lotteries all over the world hoping to win a grand prize. In Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” people much like today participated in a lottery. The significant difference between lotteries now and the story’s lottery is money, luxuries and death. There are many dominant human conditions in “The Lottery”, some of those human conditions are tradition, hypocrisy and society. The lottery can be dangerous and other’s are not always to be trusted; they may not actually be who they present themselves to be.
In “The Lottery,” author Shirley Jackson employs a detached point of view to demonstrate how a seemingly regular event masks the senseless violence cause by a group in order to warn about the dangers of conforming to traditions without thinking. Until the end of the short story, it is not clear what the annual event is. In fact, it seems like an average gathering that can potentially happen in real life. Children stack stones, and there is a friendly atmosphere among the adults. However, the objectiveness of the narration leads to no indication that a killing is just about to take place.
On June 27th, 1948, started with the root of all evil, money… but not only, in the story, “The Lottery” shows two sides of humanity and the overall concept of the characters Mr. Summers and Mrs. Hutchinson. People may think that the lottery is about winning money, but instead it was about getting stoned to death by your so called friends and family. Surprise! The lottery isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.
Throughout centuries, traditions and rituals have had the ability to control one’s behavior. In Shirley Jackson’s, “The Lottery”, she tells the reader of a small village. On the surface, this community may seem relatively normal. However, despite the picturesque appeal, this falsely serene village has a distinct deceitful flaw. On June 27th, every year, a lottery takes place.
While real life traditions are rarely so extreme, Jackson’s exaggerated fictional example emphasizes her point to great effect. By the end of the story, the audience is convinced that the town is wrong to uphold the lottery tradition, but Jackson is not really writing about a lottery; she is writing about how damaging it can
Traditions have been sought after and passed on for generations; with no questions asked, whether humane or not, traditions are hard to break and diminish as they are often what a culture or community stands for. In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, a story about the tradition of a small village, is painted in impeccable details of peace, and serenity on a warm summer day, as everyone follows the tradition they have known since a long time ago despite the true intentions and meaning of it forgotten. The Lottery taking place annually is like no other lottery, it paints the true picture of the horror that epitomizes the tradition that none of the villagers dare to question, despite it creating separation between gender and families and ruining
Many people would die to win the lottery; in the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson you would do anything NOT to win this lottery. This annual lottery reveals the negative aspects of this town’s Tradition, Savagery, Barbarism, and cold-heartedness. In this paper I will show why this town blindly follows these customs, not because it’s a tradition but because of the accepting wickedness that can be shown. Why does the town follow this foolish tradition? Throughout “The Lottery” the narrator tells that the people do not remember how the lottery began, and that some of the older people believe the lottery has changed over the years, that now people just want to get it over with as fast as possible.
However, it is quite opposite of what the story portrays. What the reader does not see from the beginning of the story and does not capture until midway through, is that the lottery is actually something awful. When the lottery processions proceed the story starts to develop a more serious and somber mood. The townspeople show no remorse or empathy for one another and friendships slowly diminish. This is especially true when they know they will soon have to stone to death the villager who has drawn the marked paper; for instance, when Mrs. Delacroix picks up the biggest rock to bludgeon to death, the winner, Mrs. Hutchinson.
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” describes a quaint town with perfect, homely citizens that nonchalantly participate in an annual, gruesome tradition. The short story deceives the reader through ironic descriptions of the characters, the character names, and the setting in order to heighten the dramatic effect of the horrific conclusion. The nature of tradition also occurs in the short story by focusing on the superstitious nature of people and the fear of changing the customs. Through the use of ironic descriptions and the overlying nature of tradition, Shirley Jackson creates an engaging story with relatable characters and personal beliefs to maintain culture only to shock the reader once the grim reality of the lottery. Shirley Jackson utilizes irony in her descriptions of people and the village in order
The whole town writes their names into a small piece of paper and put them inside the box. While this is going on, Mrs. Hutchinson arrives to the town’s square says she forgot today was the lottery, and apologize for being late. Also Mrs. Dunbar says she will draw for her husband, but instead her son volunteers to draw for his father. After a while Mr. Summers begins to explain the lottery’s rules to
Its human nature to turn a blind eye to injustice inflicted into others. In the ‘’The Lottery’’ by Shirley Jackson, the author tells a complex story about how a simple lottery took place in a small town changing the lives, and fates of its inhabitants. Jackson main focus in the story is Feminism Criticism to illustrated the misogynistic views in ‘’The Lottery’’. In the story, the author uses the treatment of the females characters against its male counter parts to illustrate how women are view as second-class citizens, and how disrespected, and stereotypical they are. An example of this is showed in the very beginning of the story, where Jackson writes ‘’ against the raids of the other boys.