Tradition Bending to Progress
In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” the reader immediately finds themselves in a New England town square in the middle of summer, with the entire town gathering near the post office. For a tradition that is as monumental and uninterrupted as the lottery, it would not be unexpected to experience fanfare, people dressed in their Sunday best, and punctuality. Instead, it is a hurried event that begins midmorning to be done by lunch, the women are dressed in “faded house dresses and sweaters” (Jackson 1-8) and even the event leader, Mr. Summers, is tardy. The infamous black box, only the second in the towns history, is often misplaced during the year and is barely holding together. Of the reoccurring themes in “The …show more content…
The fact that Mrs. Hutchinson could possibly forget what day it was is the first clue that very few still regard the lottery with the same importance as the village founders. The relaxed atmosphere which included banter and laughter highlight that many just accept June 27th as a tradition, not as something vital to the longevity to the community. When Mrs. Hutchinson arrives late and then goads her husband to “Get up there, Bill” (Jackson 1-8), the crowd reacts with a laugh. While it may have been a nervous reaction, the fact that Tessie is being so outspoken is another point were progress is triumphing over tradition. However, Schaub in her writing says that this moment lends the reader to sympathize with the housewife and the entire town (Schaub 79-86). Old Man Warner is the only character that speaks up in disdain to the progress that has occured in his lifetime. He is quite put off by the fact that Mr. Summers is so casual and even points out “Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.” (Jackson 1-8). This is evidence that there has been a loss in formality. Once the drawing has occurred the final and largest protest to traditions are revealed. Once Tessie realizes that her family is up, she is very verbal in her distress. Historically families would have been proud to be the winner but now people are speaking against the process. Fritz Oehlschlaeger speculates that one of the quietest protest could be the biggest game changer. Oehlschlaeger says “The young girl's simple hope that the victim not be her friend Nancy is the force that would destroy the lottery, as Old Man Warner recognizes.” (Oehlschlaeger 259-265). If only the children realized they are the future of the town and they can make the changes that stop this tradition
In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” the reader immediately finds themselves in a New England town square in the middle of summer, with the entire town gathering near the post office. For a tradition that is as monumental and uninterrupted as the lottery, it would not be unexpected to experience fanfare, people dressed in their Sunday best, and punctuality. Instead, it is a hurried event that begins midmorning to be done by lunch, the women are dressed in “faded house dresses and sweaters” (Jackson 1-8) and even the event leader, Mr. Summers, is tardy. The infamous black box, only the second in the towns history, is often misplaced during the year and is barely holding together. Of the reoccurring themes in “The …show more content…
The fact that Mrs. Hutchinson could possibly forget what day it was is the first clue that very few still regard the lottery with the same importance as the village founders. The relaxed atmosphere which included banter and laughter highlight that many just accept June 27th as a tradition, not as something vital to the longevity to the community. When Mrs. Hutchinson arrives late and then goads her husband to “Get up there, Bill” (Jackson 1-8), the crowd reacts with a laugh. While it may have been a nervous reaction, the fact that Tessie is being so outspoken is another point were progress is triumphing over tradition. However, Schaub in her writing says that this moment lends the reader to sympathize with the housewife and the entire town (Schaub 79-86). Old Man Warner is the only character that speaks up in disdain to the progress that has occured in his lifetime. He is quite put off by the fact that Mr. Summers is so casual and even points out “Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.” (Jackson 1-8). This is evidence that there has been a loss in formality. Once the drawing has occurred the final and largest protest to traditions are revealed. Once Tessie realizes that her family is up, she is very verbal in her distress. Historically families would have been proud to be the winner but now people are speaking against the process. Fritz Oehlschlaeger speculates that one of the quietest protest could be the biggest game changer. Oehlschlaeger says “The young girl's simple hope that the victim not be her friend Nancy is the force that would destroy the lottery, as Old Man Warner recognizes.” (Oehlschlaeger 259-265). If only the children realized they are the future of the town and they can make the changes that stop this tradition