In Shirley Jackson’s 1948 short story “The Lottery,” Jackson describes a small community gathering around in the square to participate in the annual lottery on the morning of June twenty-seventh. She describes the distressing issues of humanity in society. Through symbolism, anonymous setting, character development, and irony, Jackson reveals how the concept of conformity can create darkness in human nature. She illustrates the power of conformity and violence of society’s cult. She conveys the power of rituals that becomes a part of the village’s life.
Through symbolism, Jackson introduces how tradition overpowers a community. The ritual introduces the idea of conformity because all of the town’s people do not reject in the cruelty of their tradition. Jackson uses “nothing but trouble in that… pack of young fools” to portray the lack of openness the town’s people have towards change (Jackson 250). The town’s people fear change overall and wish to stay the same like in the past. The concept of unity disrupts the individuality in people. People fear change because of the fear of disorder. The village does not …show more content…
The black box represents the physical entity that connects the villagers to their past and traditions. The villagers are too afraid to break the tradition, yet fear the outcome of being picked. In “Jackson’s The Lottery,” Amy Griffin writes “The story thus takes the stance that humanity's inclination toward violence overshadows society's need for civilized traditions” (Griffin 45). Griffin mentions how the violent murder sacrifice brings fear to the villagers to allow them to have a more peaceful ritual. Both Griffin and Jackson illustrates how rituals are more powerful than an individual’s
Through symbolism, Jackson introduces how tradition overpowers a community. The ritual introduces the idea of conformity because all of the town’s people do not reject in the cruelty of their tradition. Jackson uses “nothing but trouble in that… pack of young fools” to portray the lack of openness the town’s people have towards change (Jackson 250). The town’s people fear change overall and wish to stay the same like in the past. The concept of unity disrupts the individuality in people. People fear change because of the fear of disorder. The village does not …show more content…
The black box represents the physical entity that connects the villagers to their past and traditions. The villagers are too afraid to break the tradition, yet fear the outcome of being picked. In “Jackson’s The Lottery,” Amy Griffin writes “The story thus takes the stance that humanity's inclination toward violence overshadows society's need for civilized traditions” (Griffin 45). Griffin mentions how the violent murder sacrifice brings fear to the villagers to allow them to have a more peaceful ritual. Both Griffin and Jackson illustrates how rituals are more powerful than an individual’s