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Ursula Le Guin The Lottery Analysis

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In the two fictional stories, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula Le Guin, both authors illustrate their idea of sacrifice by saying that it is necessary and important, for it makes the greater good happy. By comparing and contrasting the two societies, the two sacrifices, and what each one means and stands for, Shirley Jackson and Ursula Le Guin convey the message that the principle of utility is essential.

One key difference in the two short stories is how the societies are portrayed. For example, with the following quote: “--they could perfectly well have central heating, subway trains, washing machines, and all kinds of marvelous devices not yet invented here, floating light-sources, …show more content…

Or they could have none of that: it doesn’t matter. As you like it. I incline to think that people from towns up and down the coast have been coming to Omelas during the last days before the Festival on very fast little trains and double-decked trams…” (Le Guin, pg.1) You can easily see that the the society in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” have advanced technology, whereas in “The Lottery,” there are no instances of technology whatsoever. The society in “The Lottery” seems to be more rural or country-like and if any, has very little to no technology. So it’s easy to say that the society in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” has a more developed society than the one in “The Lottery.” However, there are also a few similarities between the two societies. “Given a description such as this one tends to look next for the King, mounted on a splendid stallion and surrounded by his noble knights, or perhaps in a golden litter borne by great-muscled slaves. But there was no King.” (Le Guin, pg. 1) Both societies show no moments of where there is only one person that rules over either. Maybe they are democracies and they let the citizens do what they want. But I for sure know that there is no one over either society. Another

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