Sacrifice In The Lottery

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The lottery
Human sacrifice is known as the giving of life to a superior power in return for goods of any form. Modern day society has come to believe that the practice of human sacrifice is an absurd idea. Although many cultures in all parts of the world still practice this abstract ritual. According to The Lottery, Shirley Jackson shares the theme of society continuing traditions, ideas and practices in fear and dependency on a superior power. Human sacrifices are made in desire to return prosperity and luxury. The Lottery is about a small town that annually performs a human sacrifice by stoning one who gets 'the lottery,' to death. In the story's case, a character named Tessie Hutchinson receives the lottery, and is stoned to death by the …show more content…

As said by Old Man Warner, "Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll want to go back to living in caves, nobody work anymore, live that way for a while. There's always been a lottery..." Since he is the oldest man in the story's society, the villagers follow his words. The society practices the ritual in return for crops for them to survive off. They are afraid to let go of their traditions, unaware of what might happen if they do. Whether the sacrifice carries out or not, the society does not consider the number of lives taken away for the benefit of a few. The society has been so caught up on their traditions, that they do not consider the human life a valuable, significant gift. The story clearly state that the societies continue their traditions, practices, and beliefs in fear and dependency on a greater power. If human sacrifice is done because life is the greatest offer to a superior power, then traditions should consider the numerous lives that are gifted by a superior power, for life is the most valuable possession someone could ever …show more content…

I believe since all of the villagers agree to keep the tradition of the lottery they have all agreed to be the sacrifice if chance makes it so. If the individuals agree before the event then the requirement of an individual to sacrifice their life is not actually morally wrong. This makes their sacrifice, even if it is required, acceptable by the community.
Finally, in small rural areas, there are villagers like those in "The Lottery" who blindly follow tradition. However, stoning someone is on another line. This sadistic act points to the words of King David of the Old Testament, who said that man is evil from birth and wicked from his youth. Indeed, there is something inherent in human nature that delights violence. And, this secret delight that is condoned once a year may be the main reason for the adherence of the villagers to tradition. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer.

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