Blind obedience is a huge theme that Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” revolves around. In her short story, Jackson presents a village in which an annual lottery is held on the 27th of June. Instead of receiving something rewarding, the “winner” is actually the loser and is stoned by the community. The story reflects on the brutality and underlying American values and how we are so susceptible to control and authority. Through the symbols presented in this short story, the reader better understands Jackson’s view that we are easily controlled. As mentioned in the introduction, this lottery that occurs is unlike the typical ones we imagine in that you lose if you draw the unlucky paper. The setting of the story takes place in an unnamed village.
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Mr. Summers is sworn in by the strange Mr. Graves, a character who is never described and doesn’t speak, yet he is a very significant symbol. His name is Graves, where the “winners” of this tradition end up.This undoubtedly suggests death and points to all things ominous. Because he swears in Mr. Summers, he is shown to be the ultimate authority, and now this authority plus his name signals towards the murderous lottery. Another character who reflects as a symbol is Old Man Warner, who symbolizes the tradition of the community. The story is about tradition that no one liked to upset. Just as Summers and Graves, the literal meaning of his last name can’t be ignored: Warner, one who warns. In the 5th paragraph, it is explained that "the black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner... was born" (5). He is a benchmark for tradition. As the oldest Warner takes it upon himself to make sure that the community doesn't change. When he hears that other towns have given up the lottery, he says that they’re a “Pack of crazy fools.” No matter what, Warner sticks up for the tradition and of all the characters presented in the story, he represents this …show more content…
Society, showing the an individual’s struggle against an agreed upon social norm. Tessie refuses to accept that her household, and then herself, has been drawn for the Lottery this year, but her complaints are dismissed and suppressed by the collective assurance of the people. Old Man Warner represents the other side of the conflict, Society, the purpose which is regarded by the community as normal and even respectable. Tessie represents the individual of course, a woman who fights against the tradition yet is still killed by it. It should be noted that she only fights these norms when she is caught in the unfortunate situation. Would it have been someone else’s family chosen, it is likely that she would have shown much less sympathy and care for rejecting the practice. Her argument comes from a selfish and personal desire for her and her family to be pardoned by the Lottery; because the community expects every person to be equally devoted in the outcome, her fighting is quickly and swiftly put down. The end result of the story shows that Society is victorious, and there is no indication that the Individual has had any effect on the opinions of others as well as the
Mr. Summers is sworn in by the strange Mr. Graves, a character who is never described and doesn’t speak, yet he is a very significant symbol. His name is Graves, where the “winners” of this tradition end up.This undoubtedly suggests death and points to all things ominous. Because he swears in Mr. Summers, he is shown to be the ultimate authority, and now this authority plus his name signals towards the murderous lottery. Another character who reflects as a symbol is Old Man Warner, who symbolizes the tradition of the community. The story is about tradition that no one liked to upset. Just as Summers and Graves, the literal meaning of his last name can’t be ignored: Warner, one who warns. In the 5th paragraph, it is explained that "the black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner... was born" (5). He is a benchmark for tradition. As the oldest Warner takes it upon himself to make sure that the community doesn't change. When he hears that other towns have given up the lottery, he says that they’re a “Pack of crazy fools.” No matter what, Warner sticks up for the tradition and of all the characters presented in the story, he represents this …show more content…
Society, showing the an individual’s struggle against an agreed upon social norm. Tessie refuses to accept that her household, and then herself, has been drawn for the Lottery this year, but her complaints are dismissed and suppressed by the collective assurance of the people. Old Man Warner represents the other side of the conflict, Society, the purpose which is regarded by the community as normal and even respectable. Tessie represents the individual of course, a woman who fights against the tradition yet is still killed by it. It should be noted that she only fights these norms when she is caught in the unfortunate situation. Would it have been someone else’s family chosen, it is likely that she would have shown much less sympathy and care for rejecting the practice. Her argument comes from a selfish and personal desire for her and her family to be pardoned by the Lottery; because the community expects every person to be equally devoted in the outcome, her fighting is quickly and swiftly put down. The end result of the story shows that Society is victorious, and there is no indication that the Individual has had any effect on the opinions of others as well as the