Tradition In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

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Shirley Jackson is a powerful American short-story writer and novelist around the mid-1900's, and through her story, "The Lottery," she became famous when it was published in 1948, and yet she also received many criticisms for its horror tale. After being published in The New Yorker, many subscribers sent back negative reviews arguing that “The Lottery” was attacking the values of citizens in laid-back communities. In the story, the society is set in a small village with a town square which is the gathering place of the people for the annual event. On June 27, all the citizens gather to commence the yearly tradition of stoning the person who gets the paper with a black dot. The people in the society follow the tradition without clearly knowing …show more content…

They are confused over the difference between what is right and wrong or good and bad. Being around the lottery tradition has led the citizens to making poor decisions, like taking part in the lottery. According to an article, “Jackson’ The Lottery”, ”Savagery fuels evil tradition, not vice versa” (Coulthard 226). Their cruel decisions to stone each other is an effect the lottery has on them. The citizens are being seen as “savages” because they are taking part in inhumane activities every year. It is evident that the people in the community do not possess the qualities of proper decision making. Throughout the years, the decision to let the men of their household take part in the lottery is outrageous; it is like sending your loved one to something destined to go the wrong way. Even if the man is not chosen the first time, there will always be next year to test their luck again. The lottery is purely based on “bad luck” of the individual. Once the individual is chosen, there is no way out and no turning back. The lottery encloses the individual in a tight space that gives them no way to appeal their human rights. They are stuck in a choice without any bargaining or compromise, leaving them with the only endgame possibility which is …show more content…

Old Man Warner recalls a part of the tradition from earlier lotteries which was,”Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.” (Jackson 257). The lottery is being done as a sacrifice which would lead to a good harvest season. Without it, the people would be living off small, insufficient foods. Another way Jackson lets her readers believe the lottery is good is by describing the lottery day as “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full summer day” (Jackson 254). From the beginning of the story, Jackson leads the readers to view the lottery as something

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