Feministic Criticism Traditions have woven their way through society for generations whether it be simple family practice during the holidays, or cultural custom that have been passed down through centuries. Shirley Jackson is able to convey deeper meaning through the illustration of a corrupt tradition. Understood through the feminist view, both Gayle Whittier and Fritz Oehlschlaeger emphasize misogyny and the unfair treatment of women within the short story “The Lottery.” The patriarchal society is pronounced in the very first few paragraphs of the story. Right away, it is shown that the young boys playing ignore the call of their mother, but return immediately and without question to the stern demand of their father. Women are portrayed
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A girl whispers, “I hope it’s not Nancy” (242.) The young girl is afraid for her friend, and shows emotion and expression in this statement. Old Man Warner is angered by this, believing that being chosen should be considered an honor. Although this is just a simple portrayal of compassion, Oehlschlaeger describes that it “is perceived by Old Man Warner as a threat to the social order” (259.)
Another time, Mr. and Mrs. Adam discuss how more places are talking about getting rid of the lottery. When Old Man Warner hears this, he scoffs, claiming that they “are a crazy pack of old fools” (240.) Mrs. Adams then explains to him that some places had already quit the lottery altogether. This may not be viewed as rebellious, but she makes a point of telling the old man this instead of letting the conversation go.
Old Man Warner is represented in the story as the anchor of tradition. He was unwilling to give up the tradition, and believed that it must remain in place for them to continue their way of living. To him, it was something that had always existed, and without it they’d be reverted to a stage of confusion and chaos. He didn’t care that others may disagree with the tradition, but remained stubborn with his belief. This is similar to how men were resistant to change when women first came forward demanding equal …show more content…
This can be shown when Jack goes to pick for the first time, she describes that “implicitly, he will attain a manhood which seems to protect women” (356.) Only an adolescent, he is terrified to be apart of the lottery. Yet, he is taught that men are needed to protect women, so he accepts his role.
Just as the women are taught to be even-tempered and quiet, the men in the story are taught to be assertive, and to not show fear or emotion. When the stoning began, even little Davey was given a few stones to throw. He was too young to comprehend what was going on, but by following what others around him were doing he unknowingly became part of the tradition as well.
Whittier is able to grasp a main core assumption of feminism by drawing attention to the issues the males in the story face as well: that feminism is supposed to work towards the equal treatment of both men and women, and that it isn’t about superiority over one another. This helps to deepen the understanding of the story, and show just how corrupt and toxic the lottery is to both the men and the
A girl whispers, “I hope it’s not Nancy” (242.) The young girl is afraid for her friend, and shows emotion and expression in this statement. Old Man Warner is angered by this, believing that being chosen should be considered an honor. Although this is just a simple portrayal of compassion, Oehlschlaeger describes that it “is perceived by Old Man Warner as a threat to the social order” (259.)
Another time, Mr. and Mrs. Adam discuss how more places are talking about getting rid of the lottery. When Old Man Warner hears this, he scoffs, claiming that they “are a crazy pack of old fools” (240.) Mrs. Adams then explains to him that some places had already quit the lottery altogether. This may not be viewed as rebellious, but she makes a point of telling the old man this instead of letting the conversation go.
Old Man Warner is represented in the story as the anchor of tradition. He was unwilling to give up the tradition, and believed that it must remain in place for them to continue their way of living. To him, it was something that had always existed, and without it they’d be reverted to a stage of confusion and chaos. He didn’t care that others may disagree with the tradition, but remained stubborn with his belief. This is similar to how men were resistant to change when women first came forward demanding equal …show more content…
This can be shown when Jack goes to pick for the first time, she describes that “implicitly, he will attain a manhood which seems to protect women” (356.) Only an adolescent, he is terrified to be apart of the lottery. Yet, he is taught that men are needed to protect women, so he accepts his role.
Just as the women are taught to be even-tempered and quiet, the men in the story are taught to be assertive, and to not show fear or emotion. When the stoning began, even little Davey was given a few stones to throw. He was too young to comprehend what was going on, but by following what others around him were doing he unknowingly became part of the tradition as well.
Whittier is able to grasp a main core assumption of feminism by drawing attention to the issues the males in the story face as well: that feminism is supposed to work towards the equal treatment of both men and women, and that it isn’t about superiority over one another. This helps to deepen the understanding of the story, and show just how corrupt and toxic the lottery is to both the men and the