Comparing The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

Comparing "The Lottery by Shirley Jackson" and "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin

The differences between "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and "The Ones

Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin seem relatively minor when

compared to the striking similarities they contain in setting, symbols, and

theme.

Each of the stories begin with a description of a beautiful summer day.

"The flowers were blooming profusely and the grass was richly green"(para 1) in

"The Lottery" is quite comparable to "old moss-grown gardens and under avenues

of trees"(para 1) in "...Omelas." These descriptions (along with several

others) provide positive connotations and allow the reader to relax into what

seems to be a comfortable setting in either story. Both stories also contain a

gathering of townspeople. In "...Omelas there is music, dance, and special

attire incorporated in the gathering, whereas in "The Lottery," the women show

up "wearing faded house dresses and sweaters." Although Le Guin's environment

seems more festive, all the folks in both stories are coming together for what

seems to be enjoyable, even celebratory occasions. However, I believe the

major similarity lies in the fact that these many pleasant details create a

facade within each story. The reader is then left ill-prepared when the

shocking, brutally violent, ritualistic traditions are exposed.

Children are an important focus in both stories. Jackson makes it easy

for us to imagine their "boisterous play"(para 2), and Le Guin writes "their

high calls rising like swallows' crossing flights over the music and the

singing"(para1). I see these children being used to symbolize perceived states

of happiness in both stories. I also believe they are vital necessities in each

story because they are taught and expected to carry traditions into the future.

For instance, in "The Lottery," "someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few

pebbles"(para 76), he is then able to participate in the stoning of his own

mother, and in "...Omelas," the tradition "is usually explained to children when

they are between eight and twelve"(para 10), and of course, the victim in this

tale is a child.

The fact that both authors include references to farming may be due to

the association between farming and tradition.