The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
Following tradition isn't always a good thing.
Summary - By: Viridiana Delgado
Following the crowd can have disastrous consequences
In the narrative, "The Lottery", the author Shirley Jackson narrates the harsh irony of winning the traditional lottery that leads to dangerous actions.
People change. Memories don't.
"It's not the way it used to be." Old Man Warner said clearly. "People ain't the way they used to be." (Jackson 5). Old Man Warner states that in the 77 years he's taken part of the lottery, people always seem to bend the rules. Families who are chosen, speak up last minute by persuading others to change the tradition before they are taken out.
Tradition takes time to follow but an opinionated mind to break.
"I think we ought to start over," Mrs. Hutchinson said, as quietly as she could. "I tell you it wasn't fair." (Jackson 5). Tessie is speaking her mind for the fact that her family was chosen for the lottery. After many years of following tradition, Tessie argues against the lottery and feels it isn't fair for being the chosen ones.
"All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish persuit of their own happiness or satisfaction." ~D.L
"... Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. "Come on," she said. "Hurry up." (Jackson 5). These two ladies are hustling to get to Tessie in order to be one of the first to throw these stones at her. Mrs Delacroix and Dunbar show pure selfishness for using their satisfaction to hurt others who did no harm.
Overall...
In the narrative, "The Lottery", the author Shirley Jackson narrates the harsh irony of winning the traditional lottery that leads to dangerous actions. Others may view you differently by the way you think, which is okay. Changing things is also okay. But never let others decide how to shape you. Your customs, traditions, or culture is something that you believe in. If others find your identity strange, let them be. They are your beliefs and your life.