Shirley Jackson’s, “The Lottery,” comments on manipulation and acceptance of norms in our modern society. She presents the situation of a seemingly sophisticated community with proper etiquette, but the towns people still uphold an immoral tradition of stoning a randomly selected member. Like in literature where an idea is already represented in the text, the social structure of a community is usually already established which governs behavior. As readers, we are able to analyze and question what we read and by contrasting it with other references, we can further develop or understand ideas relating to us. However, as time and literature has shown, in society, it is hard to challenge a tradition and doing so may even be reprimanded regardless of how immoral the tradition may be.
Just like in Huckleberry Finn, the concept of slavery was so conditioned in Huck’s time that a person would be completely judged based on the color of their skin. This practice created much inequality, but because Huck questioned it, he made it his goal to help free a black slave. Although we commend Huck’s action, not only does he feel that society had labeled him as a sinner but he himself feels he is a sinner as well. Huck being the young boy can represent America as it was developing and we can relate this young questioning mindset as what was discouraged in Jackson’s text. In the beginning of “The Lottery.” the foreshadowing of the boys stacking of stones can be compared to Huck’s growing up with slavery. From birth these young minds are taught to accept this practice and as they grow older, their behavior and attitude will reflect this.
The contrast of mood between the end of the novel contradicts from its beginning. As we are shown a women begging for her life, her community members and even their children violently mane her. Before the women was selected, everyone acted in a very friendly manner. Starting with the beginning of the children stacking the rocks, this act is shown to not even be viewed as wrong. Their is no enforcement of this practice other than the common knowledge of it. Because this practice has been accepted and taught since birth, anyone who would act against it would be considered “crazy fools.”
-Zachary Losak
Like you said, the mood in the beginning of the story is the complete opposite to the end of the story. As I was first reading the story, I thought it was an event where everyone gathered to see a lucky person get picked for a great opportunity but when it got to the ending, I was in shock. The way Jackson set up the story from beginning to the ending is interesting.