Themes: The Importance of Questioning Tradition

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The lottery is an annual tradition for the villagers, and they dutifully uphold it. Once a year, on June 27, someone is randomly selected to be ritually sacrificed. This person is not guilty of any crime, nor does there appear to be a restriction on age. No amount of protest from the selected party will change the will of the town once the lottery is complete. The killing is considered justified since everyone took the same risk. Though the town breathes a sigh of relief when little Dave Hutchinson’s slip is blank, there is nothing to suggest that they would not have killed him had he drawn the marked paper from the black box instead. The townsfolk are willing to turn on their neighbors, friends, and even their own families, which speaks to the dangers of blindly following tradition.

As the oldest resident and the lottery’s most vocal proponent, Old Man Warner represents strict adherence to tradition. The younger townsfolk are nervous and solemn during the ceremony. Some, like the Watson boy, seem to have reservations about participating. In contrast, Old Man Warner proudly proclaims that he has been through 77 lotteries. For him, the lottery is necessary for the town’s survival. He is unable to envision a world without the lottery. Mr. and Mrs. Adams mention that other towns have given up the lottery. Old Man Warner claims that this will lead to nothing but trouble. He is scornful towards younger people, claiming that “nothing is good enough for them.” His resistance to change echoes the town’s steadfast upholding of the lottery as a tradition.

No one, even Old Man Warner, knows exactly when or why the lottery began. This sense of timelessness gives it power. Since they do not know why it began, they cannot be certain of what will happen if they stop it. Instead, they cling to it for fear that “trouble” will happen if they break with tradition. The culture of the town seems structured around the idea that the lottery is necessary for survival. Their unwillingness to question the lottery as a tradition suggests that change is a fundamental human fear. They would prefer to continue their brutal tradition rather than risk losing a longstanding part of their culture.

However, the townspeople's adherence to tradition is inconsistent. For example, they refuse to make a new box, but they were willing to switch to paper over wood chips. They are reluctant to let a woman draw for her household, yet they have long since dispensed with the ceremonial rituals. This inconsistency suggests that tradition for the sake of tradition is meaningless. The townsfolk agreed to start using paper over traditional wood chips because the population of the town had grown. Through this detail, Jackson suggests that as the cultural context of the world changes, so should its traditions. While the wood chips made sense for a smaller population, they do not for a larger one. Similarly, just as the lottery used to make sense, an increasing number of villages are questioning its presence in a more modern world. Jackson uses “The Lottery” to ask readers to question the traditions of the world around them.

Expert Q&A

How does the reader's view on the lottery change throughout the story?

Although "The Lottery" begins with positive imagery, characters such as Old Man Warner begin to shift the tone as the story develops. Old Man Warner, a character who resists change, is the central voice of tradition in the story and is fundamental in developing the theme about the dangers of blindly following tradition.

In "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, what evidence suggests the lottery has a long history?

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson provides several indications of the lottery's long history. The black box used for drawing names predates the oldest man in town, and the names of townsfolk used to be written on wood chips, used for generations before being replaced with paper. Additionally, a "recital of some sort" was performed annually before the names were drawn, but this tradition was dropped "years and years ago." The phrase "There’s always been a lottery" implies an enduring tradition.

Why did the lottery in "The Lottery" originally start, and what does the endurance of the black box suggest about the townspeople and the ritual?

In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," the ritual began as a civic activity akin to other community events without a clear origin, emphasizing the dangers of unexamined traditions. The endurance of the black box symbolizes the townspeople's adherence to tradition, reflecting their fear of change and the perceived necessity of the lottery for prosperity. This blind conformity underscores the story's critique of societal rituals and the scapegoating of individuals, as highlighted by Tessie's protest against its fairness.

How and why did Mr. Warner's attitude toward the lottery differ from the community's?

Mr. Warner's attitude toward the lottery differs from the rest of the community as he staunchly supports it, viewing its abandonment as a threat to societal order. He dismisses other villages abandoning the lottery as "crazy fools" and blames young people for these changes, seeing them as a regression to primitive times. Warner represents resistance to change and values tradition, criticizing others for their lack of respect and decorum during the ritual.

When do readers likely realize the purpose of the lottery, and what is the villagers' reaction?

Readers likely realize the lottery's grim purpose when villagers exhibit nervous and restrained behavior, such as avoiding the pile of stones and speaking in subdued tones. Suspicion grows as Mr. Summers hastens the process and Tessie Hutchinson protests, revealing the lottery is not desirable. The ominous atmosphere becomes clear when references to stones and the community's reluctance to participate suggest the lottery's deadly outcome, culminating in Tessie's selection and the impending stoning.

Why are people afraid of change in "The Lottery"?

People in "The Lottery" fear change because they blindly follow tradition, believing it provides order and stability. The lottery, an annual event, is linked to superstitions about crop success, as suggested by Old Man Warner's saying, "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon." This fear of poor harvests and societal collapse, combined with ignorance and the belief that the lottery ensures moral health, compels villagers to perpetuate the brutal tradition despite its immorality.

What paraphernalia is used in "The Lottery" and how is the tradition preserved?

In "The Lottery," the main paraphernalia includes a black wooden box and slips of paper used for drawing lots, with stones employed in the ritual execution. The tradition has been preserved in a simplified form; many original elements like chants and salutes have been discarded over time. The black box, possibly made from parts of the original, symbolizes continuity, though its origins are forgotten, maintaining the ritual's core purpose of selecting a sacrificial victim.

How would you respond to different cultures performing "strange" rituals, as depicted in "The Lottery"?

In addressing "strange" rituals in different cultures, as depicted in "The Lottery," it's important to balance cultural relativism with moral absolutism. While respecting cultural differences, certain actions, such as genocide, terrorism, rape, and slavery, are universally wrong and should be criticized. "The Lottery" illustrates a ritual that is morally wrong, not merely strange, as it involves community-perpetrated violence. Recognizing these acts as wrong allows for moral critique beyond cultural relativism.

Did the townspeople want to change the lottery tradition?

The townspeople of the novel are convinced that the lottery is necessary for good luck, although they have no evidence to support this belief. They are convinced by the tradition and believe that it is a tradition worth keeping. The villagers refuse to change their beliefs or replace the dilapidated black box.

What clues does the story provide about the origins and purpose of the lottery?

The story provides minimal clues about the origins and purpose of the lottery, emphasizing its mysterious nature. The tradition seems rooted in agricultural practices, as suggested by Old Man Warner's saying, "lottery in June, corn be heavy soon," indicating a belief in sacrifice to ensure a good harvest. Despite its archaic roots and lack of clear rationale, the townspeople blindly follow the tradition, perpetuating it without questioning its purpose or origin.

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