How Does The Lottery By Shirley Jackson Continue The Following Tradition

Although society upheld this tradition for so many years it has shown a distinction of how a dark shadow has been portray over humanity displaying conflict in this society. The “Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is an example of how societies and culture blindly follow tradition, “The Lottery” was an annually activities that the villager would come together to participate.

Jackson’s explains that the traditions in the civilized village; the villagers appear to be fairly civilized and carry on equally up-to-date lifestyles. The lottery was old-fashioned that some individuals may think that the practice is competition of the primates. Furthermore, several persons believe that continuing the tradition was essential. I am still questioning myself from

reading “the lottery” if the barbaric tradition was a ritual an honest attempt to better other villagers. The individuals of the small village were very much alike to the privileged people of our general public. The village people thought that an individual had to be sacrificed for them to get a good crop. It is frightening to understand the similarities between the reasoning of the villagers and the reasoning involved today. The villagers are cognizant that the sacrifice is cold-hearted but these persons are too scared to voice their opinion regarding this matter because they are afraid.
In Shirley Jackson’s story, title “The Lottery”, states that every year a town have a lottery in which the person who wins or lose, in this event, will be stoned to death by his/ her neighbors.

This practice is invented to uphold social configuration within the township, but in order to understand the real significance of the story you have to be able understand what the story is all about. “The Lottery” is a about a town that has allowed its traditions to get out of hand. It is also clear that the story have detailed facts that lead most people to believe that the writer’s objectives were not to write a fearful story, but rather an appeal to all those who are writing these stories to stop. Tradition is the most important tool of every culture and society. It is what helps keeps our belief system going, so that it can be passed down from one generation to the next. On the other hand, not every traditions are practiced with true intentions. Individuals have become so accustomed to these events, they do not know a life outside them. Societies have become so inclined to “tradition” that they will partake in activities without inquiring the principles or standards of the

situation.
The individuals in the town congregate in the town square for the yearly “lottery” Jackson begins the story off by describing what type of groups will be gathering in the square.

The Lottery questions whether or not tradition should be respected for what it is or evolve to suit new generations. When asked the purpose of writing the Lottery, Shirley Jackson responded that the story was “to shock the story’s readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives” (237) Jackson was idealistic as writer who shaped a thought infuriating and shocking story to person who likes to read at a time when tradition was still practiced and recognized a lot in our society.

Whenever, time several individuals play the lottery in our society, they normally think about getting rich. Most of the time, individuals who play and win are excited whether they win a few dollars or several million. The lottery in our country has supported several education institutions by giving those several millions dollars to help them financially. Whomever, wins the lottery normally gains a lot of recognition due to the money they win. They become more popular in society and they even make more friends with persons who are in the upper class

society.
Jackson succeeds in creating a creative story which help to capture the readers’ attention and initially shock them with an unpredicted ending; all of which assist her highlight her criticism in the direction of the inhumane side of the social aspect of the evil that exist in some individuals, many times in persons that we do we were not expecting to be so evil. The main point that stood out is the fact that many times we follow our traditions which can very dangerous. This is clear in the story which explains the continuous killing of innocent people due to individuals who follow their traditions. The town has become so engaged in this tradition that they fail to see the destruction it is creating in their society. In the sight of Mr. Warner there is nothing wrong with the practices of the lottery he is one of the main persons who uphold this tradition. He is so dedicated to the tradition that he believes the village will return to a much undeveloped time if they stop playing lotteries. This tradition is very scary is has been going on from back in the days and is passed down from generation to generation which I find quite ironic. Mr. Warner would use this tradition as a leverage to get away killing an individual due to the tradition of the lottery.
In our society it is always remarkable to uphold our traditions and practices. However, not all traditions are worth upholding due to taking of innocent lives which I see as murder and the individuals who carry out these senseless acts should be held accountable