The Lottery and Harrison Bergeron

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Recommended: A Critical Analysis of Shirley Jackson’s“The Lottery”

The Lottery and Harrison Bergeron
People with power in society often have the ability to influence the practice of certain traditions. These traditions can affect what a citizen is entitled to do. In today's day and age, life without basic freedoms and rights sounds unthinkable. However, in Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery” and Kurt Vonnegut's “Harrison Bergeron” this is the reality. Old Man Warner and the Handicapper General show that people in positions of authority encourage outdated traditions that ultimately lead to innocent people getting hurt.
Old Man Warner, an important person in society, advocates villagers continue to participate in the dated tradition of the lottery. The result of this was an innocent citizen in the village getting hurt. While the drawing and calling of names for the lottery is occurring,
'They do say,' Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, 'that over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery.' Old Man Warner snorted. 'Pack of crazy fools,' he said. 'Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live hat way for a while. Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' First thing you know, we'd all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns. There's always been a lottery,' he added petulantly (Jackson 4).
This is important because it demonstrates that Old Man Warner supports the lottery and what it entails. He feels that the lottery has been around a long time and therefore, there is no need to banish it. This shows that Old Man Warner is reluctant to change. He knows that people in society will listen to him due to his status as the 'wise...

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...a Moon Glampers restricts society from progressing by encouraging these practices. Due to her level of authority, the citizens clearly have no choice but to obey her. The end result of these practices are innocent lives like Harrison Bergeron's and the Empresses being taken away and his parents left emotionally hurt and grieving.
People in positions of authority like Old Man Warner and the Handicapper General encourage outdated traditions that ultimately lead to innocent people getting hurt. The aspects of old traditions, people with power and its affects on society are explored. It is clear that living in places with substandard governments with too much control over the people and having to comply with poor established practices, reflects a dystopian society. Citizens can be left vulnerable both physically and emotionally, even when they have done nothing wrong.

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