Humanity is adaptable, we can conform to many situations and lifestyles. It’s our evolutionary trait that makes us inimitable, it’s our capacity to find comfort at seemingly odd times. To conform is to change, we, however, detest change. This hatred for change gives rise for complacency and ultimately traditions arise from the very same complacency. With traditions in place, various forms of indoctrination occur to prolong the practices of those traditions. Tradition, indoctrination, and conformity are the themes that guide The Lottery. These themes, while profound, harbor the sentiments of the author, Jackson and what she observed in the world. These themes are driven by the many common literary elements seen in other short stories, however,
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Within the minds of the people, and their small talks before and during the event, we’re exposed to their mentality, their programmed minds of accepting the event necessary. Any objection, any conflict would be met with fierce pushback, and opposition, especially by the old. Looking specifically at the conversion between Mr. Adams and Old Man Warner where he exclaims, “Pack of crazy fools… Next thing you know; they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves…There always been a lottery” (240) after hearing that a village north of them abandoned the lottery. The thought of any village forsaking the lottery brings Warner to express harsh criticism. The lottery has become a tradition in the area, and because of its long and historic acceptance, it has indoctrinated Old Man Warner. Warner cannot even fathom the possibility of abandoning the lottery and concludes that the lottery gives them civility. For Mr. Adams to bring up the conversion, however, is an indication the newer generation still have some sense of doubt. Warner has grown complacent with the lottery, but as for Mr. Adams, he may still harbor some doubt. That doubt will inevitably disappear if he is not chosen and he’ll see the lottery as just and the cycle of the tradition shall be passed on to the next generation. Jackson’s use of dialogue to not only show the sentiment of the people in the town but to show the lottery’s history and impact on the people. We see that lottery, for whatever reason, still occurs annually for even Old Man Warner to remember. This type of dialogue drives the theme of tradition to heights that would not be attainable any other way. Jackson also sheds some light on the idea of tradition becoming extinct. Her view of tradition is not all authoritative and standing as it was first made out to be. For such an atrocity to form its own tradition can relate to the
Within the minds of the people, and their small talks before and during the event, we’re exposed to their mentality, their programmed minds of accepting the event necessary. Any objection, any conflict would be met with fierce pushback, and opposition, especially by the old. Looking specifically at the conversion between Mr. Adams and Old Man Warner where he exclaims, “Pack of crazy fools… Next thing you know; they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves…There always been a lottery” (240) after hearing that a village north of them abandoned the lottery. The thought of any village forsaking the lottery brings Warner to express harsh criticism. The lottery has become a tradition in the area, and because of its long and historic acceptance, it has indoctrinated Old Man Warner. Warner cannot even fathom the possibility of abandoning the lottery and concludes that the lottery gives them civility. For Mr. Adams to bring up the conversion, however, is an indication the newer generation still have some sense of doubt. Warner has grown complacent with the lottery, but as for Mr. Adams, he may still harbor some doubt. That doubt will inevitably disappear if he is not chosen and he’ll see the lottery as just and the cycle of the tradition shall be passed on to the next generation. Jackson’s use of dialogue to not only show the sentiment of the people in the town but to show the lottery’s history and impact on the people. We see that lottery, for whatever reason, still occurs annually for even Old Man Warner to remember. This type of dialogue drives the theme of tradition to heights that would not be attainable any other way. Jackson also sheds some light on the idea of tradition becoming extinct. Her view of tradition is not all authoritative and standing as it was first made out to be. For such an atrocity to form its own tradition can relate to the