“Compare/Contrast Essay”
In certain situations, humans sometimes “follow the crowd”. For example, during the rise of Adolf Hitler during World War II many believed and followed his beliefs. But a vast majority of people saw past his propaganda and false façade of lies. In “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin, the people of Omelas live in a guilt free environment where disgraceful customs are encouraged. The people of Omelas are so blinded by their wrongful nature because they experience no guilt that they think the conditions of the child under the city are not inhumane. In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, years of practicing the lottery have made it seem as if it were normal tradition celebrated. In both stories, there …show more content…
The refusal to replace the shabby black box shows that the villagers cling to the tradition of the lottery. Since the black box was made out of pieces from the former box illustrates that the lottery has been carried on for decades. Jackson makes it clear to the reader that there is no logical reason that the lottery is being held and the only reason it still exists is because it is a tradition that has been carried on. Jackson also plays off the idea that the villagers have a very tribal demeanor. It is also ironic that the tradition is called a lottery. In a real lottery the person chosen usually is rewarded, however in the villagers’ lottery the person chosen is stoned to death in a very savage manner. Like the child living under Omelas, the lottery winners did not have a choice in the “sacrifice” that was being made. The practice of the lottery exemplifies the extremes of not being aware of the purpose of an event. “...She has chosen a nameless little village to show, in microcosm, how the forces of belligerence, persecution, and vindictiveness are, in mankind, endless and traditional and that their targets are chosen without reason.” (Franklin) Jackson illuminates to the reader that the villagers show no guilt when taking part in the lottery. The ones who realize the unimportance of the lottery are attacked for their incompetence. Unlike the people of Omelas, the villagers …show more content…
Sinful nature is not discouraged nor encouraged, but one wouldn't be shamed for taking part in such. Since guilt is not real to the people of Omelas, the ability to understand the sacrifice of the child is incomprehensible. Le Guin uses the idea of sacrificing one person happiness for everyone else's. Like the villagers in “The Lottery”, the people do not have a logical reason for human sacrifice. Unlike “The Lottery” the people of Omelas have the choice to stay and live with the child being locked away or can leave Omelas to the unknown. The ones who realize that the child is living in misery leave Omelas and aren’t harmed for their opinion. “The people who stay in Omelas aren’t bad; they just find it easier and easier to live with the misery they depend upon.”(Brooks)...thus stating that they are not frowned upon for living in Omelas while the child is underground. They just don't know what guilt is so they find it easier to live the more time
In certain situations, humans sometimes “follow the crowd”. For example, during the rise of Adolf Hitler during World War II many believed and followed his beliefs. But a vast majority of people saw past his propaganda and false façade of lies. In “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin, the people of Omelas live in a guilt free environment where disgraceful customs are encouraged. The people of Omelas are so blinded by their wrongful nature because they experience no guilt that they think the conditions of the child under the city are not inhumane. In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, years of practicing the lottery have made it seem as if it were normal tradition celebrated. In both stories, there …show more content…
The refusal to replace the shabby black box shows that the villagers cling to the tradition of the lottery. Since the black box was made out of pieces from the former box illustrates that the lottery has been carried on for decades. Jackson makes it clear to the reader that there is no logical reason that the lottery is being held and the only reason it still exists is because it is a tradition that has been carried on. Jackson also plays off the idea that the villagers have a very tribal demeanor. It is also ironic that the tradition is called a lottery. In a real lottery the person chosen usually is rewarded, however in the villagers’ lottery the person chosen is stoned to death in a very savage manner. Like the child living under Omelas, the lottery winners did not have a choice in the “sacrifice” that was being made. The practice of the lottery exemplifies the extremes of not being aware of the purpose of an event. “...She has chosen a nameless little village to show, in microcosm, how the forces of belligerence, persecution, and vindictiveness are, in mankind, endless and traditional and that their targets are chosen without reason.” (Franklin) Jackson illuminates to the reader that the villagers show no guilt when taking part in the lottery. The ones who realize the unimportance of the lottery are attacked for their incompetence. Unlike the people of Omelas, the villagers …show more content…
Sinful nature is not discouraged nor encouraged, but one wouldn't be shamed for taking part in such. Since guilt is not real to the people of Omelas, the ability to understand the sacrifice of the child is incomprehensible. Le Guin uses the idea of sacrificing one person happiness for everyone else's. Like the villagers in “The Lottery”, the people do not have a logical reason for human sacrifice. Unlike “The Lottery” the people of Omelas have the choice to stay and live with the child being locked away or can leave Omelas to the unknown. The ones who realize that the child is living in misery leave Omelas and aren’t harmed for their opinion. “The people who stay in Omelas aren’t bad; they just find it easier and easier to live with the misery they depend upon.”(Brooks)...thus stating that they are not frowned upon for living in Omelas while the child is underground. They just don't know what guilt is so they find it easier to live the more time