As a high-handed government is allowed to rule freely over the citizens, tradition becomes engraved into the minds of the working class. In some societies, traditions have been in place for thousands of years. However, once it starts, it may be difficult to change. Many people follow simply because that is what has always been done. These can range from harmless traditions such as graduation ceremonies to far more harmful traditions such as killings. After examining social organization in a scientific way, Karl Marx identified human history to have consisted of a series of struggles between the oppressed and the oppressing. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a startling example of what happens when society can only distinguish two classes.
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First, Mr. Summers’s insistence that the box be changed, “Every year after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking again about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything being done” (858). Every year after the lottery, Mr. Summers insists for the people’s sake that society must be changed. Although once he is secure in his powerful position, he forgets his idea as if nothing was wrong. The rest of the citizens are kept ignorant and enslaved by their work. Since they are unable to see how it could benefit them, they simply let go of this social change. Another example of attempting change is in Mrs. Hutchinson’s response after the lottery, “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!” (862). Mrs. Hutchinson is claiming that Mr. Summers kept her husband busy preventing him from thinking about his choice. Without the ignorant masses, the wealthy could not rule, which was a common theme in a society where the wealthy dominate over the proletariat. With this in mind, Mr. Summers must keep the ignorance of the people alive and cover up any secrets about the lottery. The village depicted in the story shows how powerful a tradition can have an effect on the process of social identification. When referring to a ritual salute, “this also had changed with time.” However, the most important aspect of the lottery is still present, “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones.” (863) The people of the village have modified the ritual over the years, but their modification of the ritual makes their community what it is, and preserves the power in the hands of those who wield
First, Mr. Summers’s insistence that the box be changed, “Every year after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking again about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything being done” (858). Every year after the lottery, Mr. Summers insists for the people’s sake that society must be changed. Although once he is secure in his powerful position, he forgets his idea as if nothing was wrong. The rest of the citizens are kept ignorant and enslaved by their work. Since they are unable to see how it could benefit them, they simply let go of this social change. Another example of attempting change is in Mrs. Hutchinson’s response after the lottery, “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!” (862). Mrs. Hutchinson is claiming that Mr. Summers kept her husband busy preventing him from thinking about his choice. Without the ignorant masses, the wealthy could not rule, which was a common theme in a society where the wealthy dominate over the proletariat. With this in mind, Mr. Summers must keep the ignorance of the people alive and cover up any secrets about the lottery. The village depicted in the story shows how powerful a tradition can have an effect on the process of social identification. When referring to a ritual salute, “this also had changed with time.” However, the most important aspect of the lottery is still present, “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones.” (863) The people of the village have modified the ritual over the years, but their modification of the ritual makes their community what it is, and preserves the power in the hands of those who wield