There are many things that are passed down generations. Whether it be a recipe or hobby, there are several traditions that are handed down. A tradition can also be a belief that a family has carried on through generations. Some things that are passed down can be good or horrible. Shirley Jackson’s portrayal of the danger of blindly follow tradition in “The Lottery” suggests that some traditions can mislead one from knowing right and wrong. Growing up, different people practice different beliefs. These traditions are all one knows is right. If a family has been doing something for generations, they may think it is morally right solely because it has worked thus far. For example, in the short story when it reads, “The lottery was conducted--as were the square dances, the teen club, and the Halloween program,” it is explained that the lottery is just as common as any other event (Jackson 221). When something horrible is explained as being just as common as any other event, it should be interpreted that the people were brainwashed into thinking it was fine. There should never be a moment when a murder of a person is something so normal that it is compared to happy functions.
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When a person does something for so long that it becomes a part of a daily, monthly, or even yearly procedure, it may be done thoughtlessly. For example, when the people had “done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions,” it is established that the people are accustomed to the lottery because it is something done so often (223). When a person is used to doing something that person does not consider it wrong. Another example of tradition being a routine was when the lady said, “guess we better get started, get this over with, so’s we can go back to work”(223). This shows that this horrible event did not faze many of the others there because the people were used to
When a person does something for so long that it becomes a part of a daily, monthly, or even yearly procedure, it may be done thoughtlessly. For example, when the people had “done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions,” it is established that the people are accustomed to the lottery because it is something done so often (223). When a person is used to doing something that person does not consider it wrong. Another example of tradition being a routine was when the lady said, “guess we better get started, get this over with, so’s we can go back to work”(223). This shows that this horrible event did not faze many of the others there because the people were used to