Mrso
(M.R.R)
Essay
For centuries women have been fighting for rights and demanding equality. However there is a difference between a woman taking action for her because she has to and a woman taking action because she can. The short stories The Lottery by Marjorie Barnard and Swingers And Squares by California Cooper are not timeless and universal but have changed over the decades.
The Lottery is set in Australia shortly after the great depression. The world is seen in perspective through the pessimistic eyes of husband and father, Ted Bilborough. Being a man who can ‘Only just afford to pay the bills’, throughout the story, Ted often narrates both work and home life with bleak detail, almost feeling sorry for himself whilst the people he notices and on occasion converts with seem to live life with serene circumstances. Upon realising a newly found fortune has been made by his wife, Grace, does he seem vibrant with positivity when he schemes ideas for himself and the fortune. Greed is portrayed in Ted on his arrival home when calling out to Grace “Where is ‘my’ rich wife?” When she is found her husband then awkwardly pursues her as he tries to romanticise her. It becomes obvious that Ted hardly does such mannerisms towards his wife when she responds negatively and un-calm to his approach. Her words “I bet you’re wondering what I’m going to do with the money” informs audiences that she herself sees her husband as greedy or often misguided by the wanting of money. His dull reaction to her announcing her permanent departure in order to pursue her ‘Last Hope’ hints he was already aware of his wife being unhappy with her life and it’s current circumstances.
The Lottery is timeless for themes but the interpretation of the text has changed. The story takes place just a few decades after women had received their right to vote but the society of the time still held harsh expectations of the female gender. During the circumstances then, Grace was viewed not only as a
Essay
For centuries women have been fighting for rights and demanding equality. However there is a difference between a woman taking action for her because she has to and a woman taking action because she can. The short stories The Lottery by Marjorie Barnard and Swingers And Squares by California Cooper are not timeless and universal but have changed over the decades.
The Lottery is set in Australia shortly after the great depression. The world is seen in perspective through the pessimistic eyes of husband and father, Ted Bilborough. Being a man who can ‘Only just afford to pay the bills’, throughout the story, Ted often narrates both work and home life with bleak detail, almost feeling sorry for himself whilst the people he notices and on occasion converts with seem to live life with serene circumstances. Upon realising a newly found fortune has been made by his wife, Grace, does he seem vibrant with positivity when he schemes ideas for himself and the fortune. Greed is portrayed in Ted on his arrival home when calling out to Grace “Where is ‘my’ rich wife?” When she is found her husband then awkwardly pursues her as he tries to romanticise her. It becomes obvious that Ted hardly does such mannerisms towards his wife when she responds negatively and un-calm to his approach. Her words “I bet you’re wondering what I’m going to do with the money” informs audiences that she herself sees her husband as greedy or often misguided by the wanting of money. His dull reaction to her announcing her permanent departure in order to pursue her ‘Last Hope’ hints he was already aware of his wife being unhappy with her life and it’s current circumstances.
The Lottery is timeless for themes but the interpretation of the text has changed. The story takes place just a few decades after women had received their right to vote but the society of the time still held harsh expectations of the female gender. During the circumstances then, Grace was viewed not only as a