“Tradition is our security. And when our mind is secure, it is in decay,” laments Jiddu Krishnamurti wisely. While tradition is a solace to many, as Krishnamurti puts it, once outdated, it can result in the deterioration of society. And worse, perhaps, are the consequences faced by those who protest antiquated values. Set in a stereotypical American town and initially written with a joyful tone, “The Lottery” explores such paradoxical views on tradition shifting to a dark and sinister tone toward the end. In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson expertly commands literary techniques such as symbolism, allusion, characterization, and verbal irony to convey her theme that those who protest archaic traditions are faced with grave consequences.
By harnessing …show more content…
Throughout “The Lottery” we see signs of utilitarianism because Jackson fails to describe the reason for the lottery to occur, all she provides is that the lottery is necessary for the happiness of society. A beaming question arises with this method of thought - Can collective happiness of a larger group while compromising an individual be classified as “good”? Jackson purposefully leaves a mystery behind the reason for the lottery to accentuate the dangers of this thought process, which she highlights through a reference to …show more content…
Summers. Not only is his name “Summers” which refers to happiness, but also, he is described as a “round-faced, jovial man” (1). His actions, however, negate his characterization. Rather than bring happiness, he implicates the lottery on the townspeople and decides the dire fate of his peers through the “the black spot Mr. Summers had made the night before” (2). Ironically, his characterization does not reflect his true personality, creating a stagnant contrast “good” and “evil.” Through this irony, Jackson funnels the idea of “good” into a person rather than a society. She ponders whether a man inherently made to be “good” can still do “evil” just like Mr. Summers a “jovial man” (1) can create “the black dot.” Delving away from the consequences of tradition, Jackson uses irony to question the abstract ideas society forms about
By harnessing …show more content…
Throughout “The Lottery” we see signs of utilitarianism because Jackson fails to describe the reason for the lottery to occur, all she provides is that the lottery is necessary for the happiness of society. A beaming question arises with this method of thought - Can collective happiness of a larger group while compromising an individual be classified as “good”? Jackson purposefully leaves a mystery behind the reason for the lottery to accentuate the dangers of this thought process, which she highlights through a reference to …show more content…
Summers. Not only is his name “Summers” which refers to happiness, but also, he is described as a “round-faced, jovial man” (1). His actions, however, negate his characterization. Rather than bring happiness, he implicates the lottery on the townspeople and decides the dire fate of his peers through the “the black spot Mr. Summers had made the night before” (2). Ironically, his characterization does not reflect his true personality, creating a stagnant contrast “good” and “evil.” Through this irony, Jackson funnels the idea of “good” into a person rather than a society. She ponders whether a man inherently made to be “good” can still do “evil” just like Mr. Summers a “jovial man” (1) can create “the black dot.” Delving away from the consequences of tradition, Jackson uses irony to question the abstract ideas society forms about