Theme of Tradition in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Essay

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Americans day after day live much of their lives following time-honored traditions that are passed down from one generation to another. From simple everyday cooking and raising children, to holidays and other family rituals, tradition plays a significant role on how they go by there everyday lives. In Shirley Jacksons short story, The Lottery, the citizens of a small farming town follow one such tradition. A point is made regarding human nature in relation to tradition. The story begins on a beautiful summer afternoon. The towns citizens are eager, gathering in the town square in order to take part in the yearly lottery. With the story focused around one particular family, the Hutchinsons, who†¦show more content†¦A symbol of the lotterys ongoing legacy, the same box has been used for years. It was believed to be made from scraps of the original black box which fell apart through the course of its use. When the citizens are brought the idea that the box should be ch anged, the whole thing was let to pass. Mr. Summers, the towns lottery official, spoke frequently about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much as tradition as was represented by the black box. (Jackson 422) This illustrates the people are blind to the idea of even tampering with their sacred box. They have grown with the tradition and find discomfort in the idea of change. Every year, after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anythings being done. (Jackson 422) With the keyword allowed, it illustrates the peoples reaction by ignorance. Every year the suggestion is made, and every year the suggestion is purposely disregarded for the sake that their tradition be unchanged. There is a sense that should the box be changed, so should the lottery and its purpose. Some places already quit lotteries, Mrs. Adams said. Nothing but trouble in that, Old Man Warner said stoutly, Pack of youn g fools. (Jackson 425) This illustrates the beliefs of a majority. Old Man Warner being the oldest man in the town was looked uponShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson993 Words   |  4 PagesSpanish author, When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow. Shirley Jackson was born in 1919 in San Francisco, California to Leslie and Geraldine Jackson. She is most well known for her short story titled â€Å"The Lottery† which was first published in The New Yorker to overwhelming and mixed reviews. The lottery, as portrayed in the short story, is a religious, annual ceremony in the afternoon of June 27. This event is said to be olderRead MoreLiterary Elements in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson1334 Words   |  6 Pagesthink it was innocent because of how they blindly followed a tradition? 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