Community Rights
Justin Ybarra
Thesis Statement
Citizens should be able to construct the laws of the community without the government’s interference in creating new laws and rules for every person of society to follow.
Summary
In “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Lottery”, both stories illustrates the type of damage tradition and government laws can have on society and the people of the community. Harrison believed that their perfect equal world was wrong. He rebelled against the government’s control of the people’s intelligence and looks while “The Lottery”, no one could change the traditional lottery within the village even when it involves murder.
Quotes
Quote: "It isn't fair," she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head. Old Man Warner was saying, "Come on, come on, everyone." Steve Adams was in the front of the crowd of villagers, with Mrs. Graves beside him” (Jackson 7).
Analysis: This quote supports my thesis because it shows how the tradition of the lottery is unfair to the people of the village. This shows how unfair the lottery was to everyone that lived in the village. Tradition made the lottery seem ok to the people of the village for keeping the population down. The people of the village have lost the ability to see right from wrong.
Quote: "Even as I stand here" he bellowed, "crippled, hobbled, sickened - I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become!" (Vonnegut 4).
Analysis: This quote shows Harrison Bergeron fighting his handicaps. He believes the people should be able to show off their appearance and talents however they want without consequence. The government believes that these handicaps are better for the people and believe if no one looks or is better than anyone else than everything will stay fair and equal. This quote supports my thesis because it shows how much the government can control society and keep people contained.