Argumentative Essay On The Lottery

The sole purpose of the lottery is a theme not directly answered throughout the short story. However the motif of tradition revolves around the course of the lottery triggering debates on whether some controversial traditions should be changed or even abolished. Our forefathers created many traditions around the world centuries ago, which leaves less debate on whether these traditions are ethical. The effects of these traditions leave sometimes damaging legacies on our behaviour as humans. In “The Lottery”, the effects of their tradition had deadly and disastrous results for the community, taking the life of one of its members. When reflecting on the consequences of the lottery, we come to question how our own traditions influence our behaviour. Some traditions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas revolve around the idea of giving, and being benevolent to all. In
Just as the finalist was about to be selected, Old Warner expressed his thoughts among the silenced crowd. “ ‘It’s not the way it used to be’ Old Man Warner said clearly. ‘People ain’t the way they used to be’” (Unknown Author, pg. 7). This quote demonstrates how over time, the tradition of the lottery has changed how the villagers act and behave. If anyone could come to this conclusion, it would make the most sense for Old Man Warner, as he has lived longer than anyone else in the village (experiencing the lottery for seventy – seven years). The change in the community’s behaviour can be seen in how they brutally stone Mrs. Tessie Hutchinson. Although originally, there may have been a sufficient and sensible reasoning for the lottery centuries ago, times have changed since the first lottery. As times change, people change and sometimes the reasons why traditions exist is lost with time forever. Once reason has been lost, the purpose of the traditions is brought into