The Lottery

In the short story "The Lottery" written by Shirley Jackson, the premise of equality is very apparent. I will be discussing 'Man's ability (and need) to rationalize generally unacceptable actions.' This story is about the whole town, of roughly 300 people, that get together every summer for the lottery. Unfortunately, this is the kind of lottery you do not want to win, since your prize is to be stoned to death. I think this town is used to going about their lives in such a way that daily routines are like a ritual. They have been doing the same things, with the same people for years. According to Old Man Warner, this is his ""77th time" being in the lottery. It was just something that they had always done, and people were used to it. There was talk of stopping the lottery, but that seemed all there was, just talk. These people that lived in this town knew no different, and even though the lottery was such a terrible thing, they thought it was what you were supposed to do. I think they rationalize their actions based on the fact that things had been that way for so long, why change them. Children grew up knowing nothing different, probably even thinking this was the right thing to do. I can see the same thing happening today, currently an issue is gay marriage. People think that it is such a horrible thing because they don't believe in it, based on religion, or how they were brought up, but either way, there are those people that just don't think it's right. Comparing that situation to The Lottery, where those people do think that stoning people, based on chance, on the luck of the draw, is an okay thing to participate in. They don't know any different, but this lottery is kind of like religion, in that it is something that the community is involved in together, like a church, and they believe that this is the only way, like believing in a certain religion. People tend to justify their actions based on acceptace from their peers as well, and I think that is something that is always going on around society, no matter what the issue is, but whether or not the actions are bad or good, if there are enough people involved, there are ways to fit in and adjust to what is going on around you.

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Charlotte Gilman

-My husband John and my brother are both Doctors, but they think nothing is wrong with me...Please, I think I would know! Anyone can google it...

-I'm stuck in this awful place, this beautiful, albeit haunted, mansion...FML

-This room...is it any wonder I'm depressed all the time, this horrible wall paper...and the bars on the windows...really, what is up with that?!

-At least I have my writing...I love to write...I just have to make sure that nobody catches me...talk to you later.

-So I found some interesting information about depression, check this out
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004481/
I wonder if I should have never had a baby...am I a horrible mother?

-I would love to get out...I miss seeing people but it is so exhausting

-Well, we just had some people over for the 4th, that was interesting to say the least, I'm actually relieved that it's over...I was right, entertaing people certainly is exhausting, Goodnight!

-It's another day and I am finally alone with my thoughts, I so love to write. Hello all, I have been trying to figure out this horrible wallpaper...I think this house may be haunted but I'm not sure. I keep seeing something and I don't know if it is just me...or if there really is something there...

-Seriously check this out...isn't it hideous?! This is what I have to live with!

-I finally figured out how to get this hideous wallpaper off of the walls...Project!!! If only I could figure out how to get these damn bars off the windows!

-Okay you guys, I know that I keep talking about this ridiculous wallpaper, but I totally did it, I worked my ass off but I got it all off...ahh peace!

-Hey, I might not be on here for a while, I'm taking a trip. I'm finally free...FINALLY. Just wait and see...I'm finally free!!! :)

Boy

Make sure you say 'Thank You'; Pull your pants up; Don't leave your video games out on the floor or Mom will step on them; Clean up your room; Put a belt on; Be polite; Wash your hands often; When you go to the store, make sure you count your money; Put your helmet on before you ride your bike; Put your dishes away so Mom doesn't have to; Put your laundry away; I always try to pick up after myself; Pick up the dog poop out of the yard; Put your bike away so it doesn't get stolen; Don't be the hoodlum you are destined to become; Move your skateboard so Mom won't trip over it; Dress your best for church on Sunday; Pull your pants up; When you go to the store, make sure you buy a belt; Mow the lawn every week; Keep the cars washed and waxed; Fix the broken hinge; Keep oil in your dirt bike; Clean up after yourself so Mom doesn't have to; Be on your best behavior; Stay out of trouble; I never get into trouble; Don't be a hoodlum, like I'm certain you are already becoming.