Selfishness In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

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In “The Lottery”, many characters reveal selfishness when they plead for their lives to be spared and the moment they are guaranteed safety, they become the exact people they previously feared. The community all huddle together, talking in hushed voices and hiding amongst each other, in fear that they would be the chosen one. While waiting for the ritual’s results, one whispers, “‘I hope it's not Nancy,’ and the sound of the whisper reached the edges of the crowd,” (Jackson 6). The gathering of residents become silent as they wait and listen for a name to be called, fearful that their name will rise and they will be sacrificed. Although no one truly approves of the ritual, not a single participant spoke out against the process until

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