The personality of a character typically reveals how and to what extent they will be able to face a barrier that is placed in front of them. Kind-hearted Paul from the short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner”, written by D.H. Laurence in 1926, has a level of perseverance to which most readers would never be able to compare. However, this unbreakable focus ultimately leads to his failure of breaking the barrier and to his tragic death. Tessie, an independent thinker from the short story “The Lottery”, written by Shirley Jackson in 1948, goes against the traditional social norms and viewpoints of her townspeople. However, this outcry for a change in morals fails to save her life as she is cruelly stoned to death. Personal opinions, beliefs, values
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This aspect of Tessie’s personality may have largely contributed to her untimely and cruel death. As the villagers began to gather in the town square for the annual lottery, Tessie Hutchinson arrived late an in a huff. “Mrs. Hutchinson came hurriedly along the path to the square, her sweater thrown over her shoulders, and slid into place in the back of the crowd. ‘Clean forgot what day it was,’ she said to Mrs. Delacroix, who stood next to her, and they both laughed softly” (Jackson 411). Although it seems that Mrs. Delacroix and the rest of the town jokingly brushed off Tessie’s late arrival, she is set apart from the other villagers early on in the story as everyone else in the town takes the Lottery seriously; it is an event for which one cannot be late. When the Lottery is drawn and Tessie realizes that it is her family who is given the black mark, she is outraged. “Suddenly, Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers, ‘You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair’” (Jackson 413)! She attempts to convince the townspeople that the drawing was conducted in an unfair manner, and receives remarks like “be a good sport” and “shut up” (Jackson 413). The Lottery had been conducted within the surrounding towns for centuries. Tessie is one of the first individuals in her town to attempt to change the process which …show more content…
Paul, a calm and collected yet emotional child, reacts in both a kind-hearted and strategic manner. Tessie, on the other hand, is scatterbrained independent thinker and therefore acts out against a social norm with panic and ideas differing from tradition. Unfortunately, both characters were unable to overcome their personal barriers and ultimately died in the process. Readers can then reflect upon how their personality and decisions impact the outcomes of the barriers and challenges they face in their own daily
This aspect of Tessie’s personality may have largely contributed to her untimely and cruel death. As the villagers began to gather in the town square for the annual lottery, Tessie Hutchinson arrived late an in a huff. “Mrs. Hutchinson came hurriedly along the path to the square, her sweater thrown over her shoulders, and slid into place in the back of the crowd. ‘Clean forgot what day it was,’ she said to Mrs. Delacroix, who stood next to her, and they both laughed softly” (Jackson 411). Although it seems that Mrs. Delacroix and the rest of the town jokingly brushed off Tessie’s late arrival, she is set apart from the other villagers early on in the story as everyone else in the town takes the Lottery seriously; it is an event for which one cannot be late. When the Lottery is drawn and Tessie realizes that it is her family who is given the black mark, she is outraged. “Suddenly, Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers, ‘You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair’” (Jackson 413)! She attempts to convince the townspeople that the drawing was conducted in an unfair manner, and receives remarks like “be a good sport” and “shut up” (Jackson 413). The Lottery had been conducted within the surrounding towns for centuries. Tessie is one of the first individuals in her town to attempt to change the process which …show more content…
Paul, a calm and collected yet emotional child, reacts in both a kind-hearted and strategic manner. Tessie, on the other hand, is scatterbrained independent thinker and therefore acts out against a social norm with panic and ideas differing from tradition. Unfortunately, both characters were unable to overcome their personal barriers and ultimately died in the process. Readers can then reflect upon how their personality and decisions impact the outcomes of the barriers and challenges they face in their own daily