Lottery
English 101
The Lottery
In life, we as people are hesitant about change. We often think “this is the way it has always been”, or “why change now” But, is this always a good attitude to have? The Lottery, written by Shirley Jackson in 1948, shows how reluctant townspeople are to reject outdated traditions and ideas even though they are considered evil and unnecessary by others. While gathering in the town square for the annual summer lottery, conversations began amongst the people about other towns giving up the lottery. Mr. Adams says “Over in the north village, they’re talking about giving up the lottery” to Old Man Warner. The town elder snorts in response “Pack of crazy fools” in laughter and gives his “reasons” why the lottery should continue each year, “There’s always been a lottery” and “Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery” are just a few. Even though others feel as if the lottery might not be necessary, they are reluctant to speak out against it. Maybe in fear of change, or maybe they were afraid if they spoke against it, they’d be the next “winner” Old Man Warner had spoke about how having the lottery brought good crop. “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon”. I think maybe they were afraid if they spoke out and the lottery did in fact stop, they’d all have bad fortune and lead to them starving. I could almost feel the townspeople fear as one by one the men took their slip from the old black box. Standing and waiting without taking a peek, while others take their turn. I can’t help but wonder what went through their minds as they stood waiting to see who would be the “winner” this year. Or how it felt for Mr. Hutchinson, when he found the black dot on his slip, knowing it was his family to make the sacrifice. How did Tessie feel when the family had to each take a slip and she found that it was in fact her, who would not be going home that day. Did it cross her mind that maybe if she hadn’t been late arriving, things might have been
The Lottery
In life, we as people are hesitant about change. We often think “this is the way it has always been”, or “why change now” But, is this always a good attitude to have? The Lottery, written by Shirley Jackson in 1948, shows how reluctant townspeople are to reject outdated traditions and ideas even though they are considered evil and unnecessary by others. While gathering in the town square for the annual summer lottery, conversations began amongst the people about other towns giving up the lottery. Mr. Adams says “Over in the north village, they’re talking about giving up the lottery” to Old Man Warner. The town elder snorts in response “Pack of crazy fools” in laughter and gives his “reasons” why the lottery should continue each year, “There’s always been a lottery” and “Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery” are just a few. Even though others feel as if the lottery might not be necessary, they are reluctant to speak out against it. Maybe in fear of change, or maybe they were afraid if they spoke against it, they’d be the next “winner” Old Man Warner had spoke about how having the lottery brought good crop. “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon”. I think maybe they were afraid if they spoke out and the lottery did in fact stop, they’d all have bad fortune and lead to them starving. I could almost feel the townspeople fear as one by one the men took their slip from the old black box. Standing and waiting without taking a peek, while others take their turn. I can’t help but wonder what went through their minds as they stood waiting to see who would be the “winner” this year. Or how it felt for Mr. Hutchinson, when he found the black dot on his slip, knowing it was his family to make the sacrifice. How did Tessie feel when the family had to each take a slip and she found that it was in fact her, who would not be going home that day. Did it cross her mind that maybe if she hadn’t been late arriving, things might have been