Blog #3: "The Lottery"

      Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" concerns itself with the concept that it can be acceptable to require the individual to sacrifice for the greater good. While today's society might not be as "tribal" as what takes place in this short story, there are times when its acceptable for some individuals have to "sacrifice for the greater good." In the short story the woman "Mrs. Hutchinson" has to sacrifice herself to the stones if only to keep up tradition. It is really horrible, the one man Old Man Warner talks about this is how its supposed to be the lottery has always been around and to give it up is listening to the foolish young folks. Then he boasts about being in the lottery "seventy seven years" to me he is just showing everybody that he is soo special to have cheated death. Then when a (friend)of the daughter says "I hope it isn't Nancy" warner says again "people ain't the way they used to be." The woman seems to be unwillingly sacrificing herself just for tradition. One of today's versions of this story is something I have witnessed first-hand. People may not be giving up their lives but the do have to give up their homes for the better of every one else. Sure nowadays they will be given other places to live because we are not so "tribal" but it will never be the same for those people. Theses people have to give their homes so that Highway 95 can be widened and shortened for the heavy traffic that drives the road daily. The highway will be "paved" over homes for the "best reroute" they can find. Not that the families in the homes have any say because they are "sacrificing for the greater good." There are other possible reroutes that wont remove homes but efficiency is key so it is acceptable to move the people out of the way of the new highway. So it isn't as gruesome as "The Lottery" but the same concept is in place by making one sacrifice for the greater good whatever that may be. It may not be "fair" or "right" but tradition must be kept up. Sacrifices are always being made.