Similarities Between The Lottery And The Destructors

Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. It is an object representing another to give the person, place, or thing an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant. In “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson, and “The Destructors”, by Graham Greene both authors use symbolism by giving meaning to objects and people that represent a meaning beyond what is written.
At the beginning of “The Destructors” the character Trevor, or better known as “T” is introduced to the Wormsley Common Gang, a group of young boys. In the story he symbolizes innocence being lost at a young age of adolescence. He learns from his father that Mr. Thomas’s

house was built by a famous architect. He then becomes the leader of the Wormsley Common Gang by suggesting the audacious plan to destroy the house. Although “T” is determined to destroy Mr. Thomas’s house, it is not out of malice towards the old man, but a desire to rebel against the older generation’s materialism and belief in the superiority of the upper class. The author uses Trevor to symbolize not only young innocence being lost but also a boy who could possibly be seeking revenge after his family lost their place in society among the upper class. He may have the feeling of well is my family lost everything, so no one else should have anything.
Unlike “The Destructors” Shirley Jackson uses the people among her society to symbolize sin, and torturing another human being for the faults of the single individuals among the community.

Instead of using a single individual to symbolize guilt, and crime she uses the community as a whole. But she singles out one person amongst a family, who is used as the scapegoat to accept the punishment for others indecent behavior, and dishonesty within the society. In “The Lottery” Tessie Hutchinson chosen to be stoned to death. I’m not going to say that she was an innocent human being, but it’s wrong to punish a single individual for the faults of others. Tessie is used to symbolize innocence, and fear. Both Shirley Jackson, and Graham Greene use the symbolism of innocence, through the characters in their

story.
The misery and the shadows in “The Destructors” symbolize the mood and state of the people after the war.

War and political strife are dark times in states and countries, misery and shadows do well to represent those feelings. Graham Greene has Trevor refer to the gang of boys as worms. Worms are used to symbolize the destruction inside and out, he doesn’t want to damage the house he wants to destroy it. To make it something other than the house, because after all destruction is really just creation in disguise. Graham Greene does a good job of using symbolism to describe the mood and state of the people within the town.
In “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson at the beginning of the story selects her details to portray or symbolize what seems to be a charming day for this small town. She symbolizes a pleasant day only to lure the reader into an unprepared harsh outcome. Shirley Jackson uses the mood of the town to later symbolize a happy day that then turns into an unpleasant

tradition.
Both stories use symbolism to symbolize death by assigning the meaning to inanimate objects. In “The Destructors” the bombs from the war represent the destruction of the community as well as death. It not only killed and depressed the souls of the townspeople but possibly people as well. Trevor’s sense of wanting to destroy Old Misery’s house, only leads the reader to believe that the death of the house being torn apart by him, were caused by the bombs which crushed his spirit and soul. Only making him feel anger to towards the house that still stands so tall.
Death in “The Lottery” is symbolized by a stack of stones collected by the people among the community, before choosing the individual which will be punished. This could possibly lead the reader to believe that the stoning comes from the religious background of the people. Stones are significant murder weapons, and stoning is mentioned in every religion. It is not just an early form of punishment and abomination, stoning has a strong religious association with the communities chosen form of punishment to reinforce group beliefs. Shirley Jackson not only uses the stones to symbolize death, but to also show the religion of the community.
Symbolism in “The Lottery” is also used through the traditional use of the black box, and the white slips of paper with every person in the communities name on one. The box and slips of paper represent an ongoing tradition and the fate of a single person’s life. In the story the box is described as being old and worn out, which implies to the reader that this is an ongoing tradition for this small town community, that has been passed down from generation to generation. The symbolism of the box and white slips of paper create the suspense of the story, and both symbolize fate and destiny.
Through both stories symbolism used through not only objects, but a single character within the story. Symbolism is what takes your beyond what is just written for your eyes to see, and gives you the room to expand your imagination. Both “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson and “The Destructors” by Graham Greene have interpreted meanings that go beyond what only the reader’s eyes see.