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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page essay that discusses Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" in terms of obsolete tradition and the potential for evil. No other sources cited.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KL9_khlotttrad.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the village automatically accept the lottery as a necessary part of their lives dramatically underscores Jacksons message, which is that institutions should be honored and respected simply because they have
existed for a long time. Jackson sets the stage for the village lottery by picturing the event as ordinary, a yearly occurrence that they simply accept and do not
question. The people gather in the village square, the men coming in from the fields, the women in the house-dresses, having stopped their chores. It is an event, which like
the "square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program," is always conducted by Mr. Summers (Jackson). The details describing the lottery stress that this is not an extraordinary event in
the life of the village, but rather is part of their yearly calendar. Also, in describing the lottery, Jackson provides details that indicate its antiquity, as the original equipment for
conducting the lottery was lost "long ago," and the current equipment shows signs of age (Jackson). The black box from which the family members draw their tickets is "faded and
stained" (Jackson). In these details, Jackson conveys the idea that the lottery has been practiced on a yearly basis since the village was founded. Old Man Warner indicates the
principal rationalization behind the lottery when he says, "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon" (Jackson). Warner disparages those "crazy fools" to the north who talk of giving up the
lottery, predicting that this will lead to them "eating stewed chickweed and acorns. Theres always been a lottery" (Jackson). These statements indicate that lottery originated as an ancient fertility ritual
that is meant to ensure a good harvest. The primitive belief was that the Earth, in order to release her bounty, required a sacrifice in return and, in this case,
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