Theme of Tradition in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Essay Example

It is not right to follow cultural traditions and customs because in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the tradition does not conduct a reasonable and logical purpose for the continuation of the lottery as it brings nothing more than destruction to the villagers.  

To begin with, following the tradition and customs of the lottery sets an exemplary normalized foundation for the dangerous act of harming individuals. The stoning, a certain act, where the lottery winner becomes stoned to death is extremely normalized amongst the villagers. This part of the ritual is so normalized that the villagers enjoy throwing stones because of the opportunity they have to throw stones “Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. "Come on," she said. "Hurry up."’ (Jackson 315-317). Mrs. Delacroix and Mrs. Dunbar are exhibiting excitement towards stoning Mrs. Hutchinson as they are in a hurry to take part in the stoning. The villagers should not be showing signs of excitement or satisfaction when taking part in these kinds of destructive and dangerous acts as it exhibits a way to normalize something that is morally not the right thing to do.  

In addition, the tradition of the lottery has lost its significance over time, which does not leave any purpose for the continuation of this dangerous tradition.  The tradition should not need to be continued on an account of losing importance in these towns and for the sake of harming others. During the origins of the lottery, there had been a seemingly reasonable purpose to hold this tradition together, but with time “so much of the ritual had been forgotten or discarded” (Jackson 70-71). The many rituals held at the lottery have faded, but the villagers continue to follow this harmful tradition without a fair rationale. The only sheer ritual they continue without failing to remember is the stoning, which should not be a fair reason to continue this destructive tradition. The lottery is only harming the many villagers, not benefiting them. If a tradition does not benefit the community as a whole and only causes destruction, the tradition should not be continued. 

However, some may argue that it is right to follow traditions and customs because it unifies all the villagers. When all the villagers gathered around the square, they were very amicable with each other as they chatted and laughed together. But when Mrs. Hutchinson was the lottery winner, the villagers who were friendly with one another turned their backs on her  “Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. "Come on," she said. "Hurry up."’ (Jackson 315-317). The villagers, Mrs. Delacroix and Mrs. Dunbar were friendly to Mrs. Hutchinson in the beginning, but when Mrs. Hutchinson was the winner; they had no hesitation to participate in the ritual of throwing stones at her. They have lost their sense of morality for a sheer lottery.