The Lottery
... the individual becomes the recipient of the misfortune. “The Lottery” exemplifies the ancient, barbaric tradition of someone being sacrificed for the well-being of the crops. To decide the winner of the lottery, the town gathers and draws from the symbolic black box. The winner of the lottery then gets pelted with rocks until a certain death occurs. Old man Warner, a proud supporter of the lottery, states that only a “Pack of young fools would quit lotteries,” because “Lottery in June corn be heavy soon”(350). This village tradition destroys neighbors’ friendships, and unity of family. Even after all the town’s suffering due to conformity and the lack of individuality, the people in the small village still partake in the lottery, and much relief ensues afterwards. The citizens are unconcerned unless they become the one chosen for sacrifice. This is a direct result of the small community who only care about themselves. Tessie has few problems with the idea of the lottery, until she becomes the chosen one. Tessie grew up in the small village and participated in the lottery ever since she is able to. She tosses stones at the innocent “winners” for years, contributing to the deaths of many before her. Tessie is so for the tradition, she would even become excited beforehand, in anticipation. One day, however, she draws the ticket and the meaning of the lottery changes for Tessie. Now that Tessie is picked for the sacrifice, the tradition becomes unfair and outrageous to her, and selfis...