Dinner Party, by Mona Gardner, The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, and A Man Who Had No Eyes, by MacKinlay Kantor

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” This famous quote well represents a theme often evident in literature. Whether the characters in the stories achieve or fail in making that change the reader is able to infer that the literature is challenging the existing standards, and by challenging the things as they are there are positive changes to the society and in the characters. The short story “Dinner Party” challenges the circumstances at that time, with the hostess of the party trying to prove women inequality wrong. The story “The lottery” was following the status, however; the consequences of this make it obvious to the reader why change is needed. Lastly, “A Man Who Had No Eyes” was able to prove that by overcoming the accepted standards for the blind Mr.Parsons was able to meet success within him and the readers themselves were endorsing the status quo.

The “Dinner Party” written by Alona Gardner challenges the status quo of women being treated unfairly and less valued than men. Right off the bat, a young girl in the story argues with a colonel on the passing of the “jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse era” (Gardner 1). The quote represents women becoming equal to men, and realizing that they do not need to follow the status quo. The young girl’s argument shows she wants change. This argument would not be too surprising to see today, however; the story is set in India around the _______ and going up against a man in this time is unordinary and takes motivation. To further extend on the author’s message, the hostess of the party lays bait with intention to stop an intruding snake, later on it is revealed that she discovered the snake because she had felt it on her legs. This part ...

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...ould never expect Mr.Parsons to be blind, because of how the status quo influences the society today.

As evident throughout literature, authors directly or indirectly address the illogical and current standards. The authors persuade readers that the status quo must be overthrown to advance and do this by showing the benefits from overcoming the status quo and the drawbacks from sticking with it. As mentioned, Gandhi had a similar point of view; it is clear that many other famous scientists, leaders and other historical people believe the same. Albert Einstein, a man known to have made huge advancements in modern science once stated, “He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.”

Works Cited

A Man Who Had No Eyes

Dinner Party

The Lottery