The Lottery

The Lottery, as we know it, is a joyous occasion, with people anticipating and hoping that they will win. But, in this text: 'The Lottery', it is the exact opposite. The one who 'wins' get stoned to death, instead of getting monetary rewards. But why do the villagers stone people every year? Is the reason given, "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon" a bit too superstitious? Or is it just the bit about 'mob mentality'? I feel that it is a little of both. The story tells us about how the villagers follow the tradition of lotteries, one per year to stone a person each year. Isn't it a bit like how our society's been like? The fact about bullies, aren't them like the people in The Lottery? Each group of bullies have a leader, and a band of followers. The leader, or the person who starts the mob to attack the 'weaklings', is like Old Man Warner. He insists that the village continue with the Lotteries even though some show doubt about it.

"They do say," Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, "that over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery."

Old Man Warner snorted. "Pack of crazy fools," he said. "Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live hat way for a while. Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' First thing you know, we'd all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns. There's always been a lottery," he added petulantly. "Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody."

"Some places have already quit lotteries." Mrs. Adams said.

"Nothing but trouble in that," Old Man Warner said stoutly. "Pack of young fools."

A very good example happening in our lives right now would be Philmann. Everybody discriminate him and 'mob' him, just like how the villagers from The Lottery stone Tessie to death. Although it SEEMS like a small problem, mob mentality is a growing problem in our societies. Think about it, there are already bullies in schools, what about the working world? It could just take over the world or something if left untreated. I feel that if we give Philmann some breathing space, he might just change for the good, and not just discriminate and hurt his feelings. I agree, though, that Philmann is irritating, even when no one is there to discriminate him, because I have personal experiences. But, as I have stated earlier, give him some breathing space and he can change for the good. The reference to superstitions is when Old Man Warner say that "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon". It obviously is a superstition as how could killing a person get you more corn? It's just like praying to gods and stuff.