Sacrifice In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson talks about the strong relationship people have with tradition. The sound of a lottery brings light and hope, it is fair. Everyone as equal chances, and the winner is usually awarded. Though that is not quite the case, in this story. In fact there is hope for the ones that are not chosen, so the odds are better. Every year the townspeople hold a lottery, and the winner is stoned to death. In their town they believe that they need to kill someone in order for everyone else to survive. They do this because they are afraid. They fear, that for the corn to grow heavy, they must kill someone, so starvation doesn't break out, and everyone dies. This is why they hold the lottery every year, it is a game of sacrifice. …show more content…
Everyone is overpowered with fear, praying not to be "the one". The townspeople give out a sense of anxiousness as they stand around. Its almost like the sooner it happens the better the outcome. All these nerves are caused by the idea of keeping the tradition alive. Although the odds are unlikely, the thought of losing a loved one, neighbor or fellow citizen, is just as heartbreaking. Though in there minds it would be worse if everyone supposedly died of starvation. The waiting of the lottery to happen can be the most fearful part, it is common to believe the worst. When it was finally time to start the lottery Mr.Summers said "guess we better get started, get this over with, so's we can get back to work." This statement sounds that this is not enjoyable nor wanted, but it is done every year. This just comes to show that tradition has this town so convinced, that they don't think to end this unfortunate event. To finally stop living in fear. It all starts with one, if one person stands up, most likely based on the emotions of the rest, they will …show more content…
Some showed great fear while others none but deep down they all hurt the same. There families fate was in their hands, they had complete control. That can be a lot to take in by itself. As the townspeople picked out of the black box, people whispered, but no one every complained or spoke the truth. Though once the Hutchinson's were announced the "lucky ones" Mother Tessie, shouted "You didn't give him enough time to take any paper he wanted. I saw you it wasn't fair!" Her voice suddenly spoke aloud, though it was to late. If she had spoken sooner about her suspicion, what would have happened? Either way not speaking up, put her family and herself in jeopardy. She herself let the fear of breaking tradition stop her from protecting her family as well as