The essential question of the lottery is what are the consequences of blindly following traditions and authority figures without thinking for oneself. The story reveals how binding and unquestioned tradition can be in a community.
Although the lottery may appear at first to be no more than a harmless annual event, it is actually a ritualistic practice that culminates in the symbolic (and sometimes real) death of one of the members of the community.
This reflects how blindly following tradition can have grave consequences and has lasting implications on the cultural dynamics of the community. Moreover, the story challenges us to consider the implications of authority, tradition and conformity on our lives, and ponder whether we are following the paths that we truly wish to follow.
What is the purpose of the lottery story?
The purpose of the lottery story is to explore questions of social conformity and tradition. The story follows the residents of a small village as they partake in their annual lottery. The lottery is viewed as tradition by the villagers and one they blindly follow without question.
The lottery serves as a literal example of society’s tendency to follow customs without questioning their purpose or morality. Through the events of the story, the reader is able to make observations and draw conclusions on society’s sometimes unquestioned acceptance of traditions, even if they may be wrong or harmful.
By exploring the consequences of unchecked tradition and the ultimate rejection of the lottery by the villagers, the lottery story reveals valuable insight about the importance of questioning traditions and the power of individual action.
Why is the lottery story ironic?
The lottery story is ironic because of the contrast between the expected outcome and the actual outcome. Despite the innocent setting and people gathered together in anticipation of joy and happiness, the outcome of the lottery is ultimately violence, pain and death for the protagonist.
This contrast between expectation and reality is what makes the lottery story ironic. It also highlights the lengths people will sometimes go to in order to support their traditions, no matter how cruel and inhuman they may be.
In addition, the character of Old Man Warner is also ironic. He is the most adamant supporter of the lottery, but it is he who draws the marked paper and therefore the one chosen to be sacrificed. The irony of his situation serves to emphasize the capriciousness of fate and the dangers of blindly following traditions.
What aspect of the lottery does tessie challenge?
Tessie challenges the notion that the lottery is random or fair. She is disturbed by the apparent randomness of choosing a “winner” and believes that the lottery is politically or socially rigged. She questions why her family must always draw a slip, even though none of them want to win, and accuses Mr.
Summers of “scheming” the proceedings. Tessie implies that it is not chance that determines who wins the lottery but rather the organizers. In this way, Tessie challenges the fairness of the lottery and implies that it is indeed determined by political motives rather than random chance.
What does Tessie symbolize in the lottery?
Tessie Hutchinson in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is symbolic of human nature. She symbolizes the human struggle between our inherent desire to survive and our willingness to sacrifice the life of an innocent for our own safety.
Her death serves as a reminder that life can be unpredictable and precarious, and that a senseless death can be caused by the actions of a group. Tessie’s death also serves as a reminder to us all that we should never take our lives for granted.
Through her death, Shirley Jackson is communicating a warning to readers to think more critically about their actions and the consequences that come with them. Tessie’s death serves as a reminder that life is often capricious, and that even something as seemingly safe and normal as a lottery can occasionally have startling and unexpected results.
Through Tessie’s death, we are reminded that we should practice caution and mindfulness at all times, as something seemingly small or harmless can have drastic, unexpected outcomes.
What type of conflict did Tessie encounter?
Tessie encountered multiple types of conflicts throughout the story. The first type of conflict she encountered was internal conflict, in which she struggled with her own emotions and thoughts throughout the story.
For example, she had a hard time accepting the fact that the lottery was taking place and that she had to take part. She felt guilty and powerless, and she questioned the morality and fairness of the situation.
The second type of conflict Tessie experienced was interpersonal conflict. This was evident in her relationships with her family and fellow villagers. Tessie and her husband, Bill, had disagreements on how to best handle the lottery, with Bill deciding to participate while Tessie seemed to reluctantly agree.
Similarly, Tessie’s interactions with the other villagers were strained as they all competed to win the lottery.
The third type of conflict Tessie encountered was external conflict, which involved her struggles with the rules imposed by the lottery. For example, everyone is expected to participate and Tessie felt that it was wrong to do so.
Additionally, much of the village views it as a positive event and the negative connotations associated with it made Tessie uncomfortable.
In conclusion, Tessie encountered multiple types of conflict throughout the story, including internal, interpersonal, and external conflict.
How does Tessie’s attitude toward the lottery change in the story?
Tessie’s attitude toward the lottery in the story changes from anticipation to fear and dread. At first, the lottery is an exciting event for Tessie, as it is for most of the villagers. She eagerly purchases her ticket and looks forward to the drawing with enthusiasm.
However, once her family’s name is drawn and she is selected as the winner, her attitude changes dramatically. She becomes fearful of the consequences and wants no part of the stoning. She protests the unfairness and pleads with the other villagers to not carry out the lottery, even going so far as to offer to take the place of whoever has drawn the “lucky” slip of paper in order to save her own life.
This change of attitude speaks to how Tessie’s opinion of the lottery changes once she is directly affected it, as most people’s opinions would change when they themselves were in peril.
In what way might Tessie be considered a scapegoat?
Tessie could be considered a scapegoat because of the arbitrary nature of the lottery, which unfairly singles her out as a victim. She is the selected target for a collective punishment that should be more distributed among the village.
She is innocent and does not choose to bear the punishment that she is forced to endure and yet she is still the one who is made to pay the price for her community’s activities. She is chosen as the individual to suffer the consequences of an ancient ritual that should no longer exist and yet is still an integral part of the village’s culture.
Tessie is also powerless to defy or even question the laws of the lottery and has no power to protect herself. Tessie’s inability to access the same resources as the other villagers and her lack of social power contribute to her being the scapegoat for their collective punishment.
Tessie does not deserve the fate she is assigned and yet, due to the circumstances she finds herself in and the unjust nature of her randomly-selected victimhood, she is treated unfairly and becomes a scapegoat for the enduring effects of the village’s lottery.