The characters in “The Lottery” demonstrate their concern with appearances by conforming to the traditional rituals and expectations of their community. They maintain a cheerful demeanor and participate willingly in the lottery, even though their actions result in violence and death.
In “The Lottery,” the characters vividly demonstrate their concern with appearances through their adherence to the traditional rituals and expectations of their community. Despite the sinister consequences of their actions, they maintain an outwardly cheerful demeanor and willingly participate in the lottery. This obsession with appearances is not only reflected in their conformity but also in their desire to maintain a façade of a close-knit, idyllic community.
One way the characters showcase their concern with appearances is through their unwavering conformity to the lottery rituals. The townspeople dutifully gather every year for the event, gathering stones and drawing slips of paper without question. They feel compelled to follow this tradition without challenging its purpose or considering its moral implications. This reflects their desire to maintain the appearance of unity and adherence to societal norms, even at the expense of innocent lives.
The quote by the renowned philosopher Erasmus perfectly encapsulates the characters’ concern with appearances: “In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” This quote emphasizes their need to conform to the rules dictated by the community, even if these rules are morally questionable. The characters value appearing normal and following traditions over evaluating the consequences of their actions.
Interesting facts:
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“The Lottery” was written by Shirley Jackson and first published in 1948. It garnered widespread controversy and has since become a classic in American literature.
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The story dives into the themes of blind adherence to tradition, violence, and the dark side of human nature, shedding light on the dangers of conformity.
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The story was originally met with mixed reactions, with some readers expressing shock and outrage at its bleak depiction of a seemingly idyllic village.
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Shirley Jackson used subtle foreshadowing throughout the story, providing hints of the horrifying twist that awaits the reader, further highlighting the characters’ concern with appearances.
Table:
| Aspects of Concern with Appearances in “The Lottery” |
|---|
| Unquestioning conformity to the lottery rituals |
| Maintaining an outwardly cheerful demeanor |
| Willingness to participate despite the consequences |
| Desire to preserve the community’s image of unity |
| Ignoring moral implications for the sake of tradition |
By examining the characters in “The Lottery,” their unwavering conformity, and their dedication to maintaining appearances, it becomes evident how appearance is prioritized over critical thinking and morality. The story serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to question the rituals and traditions they blindly adhere to, and reminding us to be wary of the destructive power that can lie within our own communities.
This video contains the answer to your query
The video titled “Dad BECOMES MILLIONAIRE and LEAVES FAMILY, He Lives To Regret It” tells the story of a man named Drew who becomes a millionaire after winning the lottery and decides to leave his family. He believes that money will solve all his problems and starts living a lavish lifestyle. However, he soon realizes that money cannot buy true happiness. When he tries to reconcile with his ex-wife, she expresses her own feelings of neglect and discontentment. Drew regrets his decision to leave his family, but it is too late as his ex-wife has moved on and will be entitled to half of his winnings due to community property laws.
I’m sure you will be interested
The shabby black box represents both the tradition of the lottery and the illogic of the villagers’ loyalty to it. The black box is nearly falling apart, hardly even black anymore after years of use and storage, but the villagers are unwilling to replace it.