Comparing The Lottery And The Book Thief

Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” The history of mankind contains numerous leaders and guiding principles that carry beliefs contrary to those of our natural law yet still gather an extreme following of individuals. The question is why. Why do people leave their good moral at the door in order to follow the masses? Risk their individuality, freedom, and personality to appeal to others. “The Lottery” and The Book Thief both explore the concept of conformity as it pertains to the individual and how far away one is willing to stray from the path of moral freedom to bend to the will of others. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson depicts small town gathering for their annual lottery

in which a series of events leads to the shocking murder of a towns member, justified as a sacrifice. “The Lottery” highlights human natures tendency to hold tradition in high esteem out of respect, even when it completely contradicts all good human reasoning.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak redefines death and his perspective of the human world by following Liesel Meminger, a young German girl who loses her father, brother, and mother and has to rebuild herself in Molching of Nazi, Germany. The Book Thief exposes the measures taken to spark early approval of Hitler in the young children of Germany and mirrors methods some use today to mold a child into what is desired or expected. Though these stories were written with contrasting purposes in mind, “The Lottery” and The Book Thief both showcase the human habit to blindly follow traditions or leaders and the early corruption of young minds that sparks lifelong

commitment.
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson showcases the blind obedience of human nature to long standing traditions and the popularity of conformity in society.

Jackson’s story is laced with insight referring to humankind’s inclination to revere tradition, despite one’s best instincts, because of the history it holds together. Jackson portrays an example of such when she writes “The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions” (Jackson 3). Through this line, the reader uncovers that the people of the town were only going through the motions of the lottery. Showing that for the past however many years, the citizens of the town have not even been reflecting on the purpose of their tradition, but rather halfheartedly participating like a child sitting through a long political broadcast. Should that not be a sign flashing in bright lights that their beloved tradition was morally wrong? The people’s disengagement with the lottery serves as a clue to readers that they do not understand, in their hearts, what they are doing; some could even argue that perhaps they have put up a wall in order to prevent the truth from breaking to the surface. Similarly, Jackson emphasizes the length of time the lottery has claimed the lives of the townspeople when Old Man Warner says, “There’s always been a lottery,” (4). In this line Old Man Warner rebukes the other towns decisions to quit the lottery by suggesting that the lotteries age is a valid enough reason to

stick to it. This line shows great significance in the picture that Jackson seeks to portray because it displays an age old theory that the elderly hold the most wisdom and awareness in any society. Yet somehow in this story Old Man Warner seems the most blind and ignorant of them all. He advocates for the lottery because he grew up with it and knew nothing different, because he committed seventy-seven murders. The thought of the lottery’s dismantle shakes him because if it has been morally wrong, then he turns out the worst of them all. Although, this line’s significance travels farther than the conscience of Old Man Warner but to the people as well. In their minds, Old Man Warner’s proclamation makes sense. Because if the lottery has lived for so long and helped them prosper than keeping it seems to be a no brainer. Later in the story we hear from Old Man Warner once again saying, “It’s not the way it used to be. People ain’t the way they used to be” (6). This is the one statement Old Man Warner makes throughout the entire story that can ring true in every reader’s ears. Is the tradition of the lottery justifiable? Jackson hides, in her own writing, the answer to the whole scenario. People change. Traditions evolve. Nothing stays the same forever. This is the simple answer to the story’s hidden meaning. The animals, the planet, and people are always evolving and the key to evolution is to keep up with it. Through a rather suggestive manner, Jackson is able to inform readers how blindly conforming to society’s traditions or standards ends up damaging one’s heart, conscience, mind, and soul.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak reveals how parents, elders, or those in authority have the power to mold the opinions of youth and how with that power comes those who abuse it and change the child’s conscience and mind altogether.