Everyone in the town goes along with the lottery because it is deeply ingrained in their tradition and culture. The fear of being excluded or facing social ostracism outweighs any individual’s moral objections or concerns about the gruesome outcome.
In the town, everyone participates in the lottery due to deep-rooted traditions and cultural norms. The fear of exclusion and social ostracism overshadows any individual’s moral objections or concerns about the gruesome outcome. This phenomenon can be explained by several factors:
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Tradition and cultural inertia: The lottery has been a long-standing tradition in the town, passed down from generation to generation. It has become deeply ingrained in the local culture, and people feel a strong sense of obligation to participate. Shirley Jackson, author of “The Lottery,” once remarked, “We discover our traditions as they unfold slowly before our eyes, and we often cling to them because they connect us to our past and define who we are.”
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Fear and conformity: Many individuals fear the consequences of not participating in the lottery. The fear of being labeled as an outcast or facing social isolation drives people to go along with the practice. Psychologist Solomon Asch stated, “The tendency to conformity in our society is so strong that reasonably intelligent and well-meaning young people are willing to call white black.”
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Groupthink and peer pressure: Within the close-knit community, groupthink and peer pressure play crucial roles. People tend to conform to the opinions or behaviors of the majority, even when their own beliefs or values are at odds. This phenomenon was described by Irving Janis, a social psychologist who coined the term “groupthink,” as “a psychological drive for consensus that suppresses the personal doubts and deviations that would ordinarily emerge in a group decision-making process.”
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Lack of critical thinking: The community’s unquestioning acceptance of the lottery can also be attributed to a lack of critical thinking or independent examination of the tradition. The daily demands and routines of life may discourage individuals from questioning the practices deeply entrenched in their society.
Interesting Facts:
- The story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson was first published in The New Yorker magazine in 1948, creating a significant uproar and stirring controversy among readers.
- The lottery draws its origins from ancient rituals and sacrificial traditions found in various cultures throughout history, highlighting the enduring nature of such practices.
- Jackson’s story serves as a powerful allegory, reflecting the dangers of blindly following tradition without considering the ethical implications or consequences.
- Despite the story’s fictional nature, it continues to spark discussions about the significance of rituals, social conformity, and the human tendency to acquiesce to oppressive systems.
Table: Reasons for Participation in the Lottery
| No. | Reasons |
|---|---|
| 1 | Deep-rooted tradition |
| 2 | Fear of exclusion |
| 3 | Social ostracism |
| 4 | Groupthink and peer pressure |
| 5 | Lack of critical thinking |
By analyzing the factors mentioned above, it becomes apparent that the lottery’s continuation within the town is sustained through a combination of cultural inertia, fear, conformity, group dynamics, and the absence of critical examination. These elements intertwine to create a powerful force that hinders individual resistance and perpetuates the annual event.
Response video to “Why do you think everyone in the town goes along with the lottery?”
The “Lottery” section of the song by Latto featuring LU KALA focuses on the artists expressing their power and desirability. They describe themselves as a prize, asserting that being with them would be like winning the lottery. The lyrics exude confidence and emphasize self-worth, with references to physical attributes and intimate fantasies. Overall, this section highlights the artists’ value and their status as sought-after individuals.
Some more answers to your question
Answer and Explanation: In The Lottery, the townspeople participate in the lottery because it has been a tradition since their village was founded, with the original purpose of the lottery being grounded in beliefs that a sacrifice in June would lead to a bountiful corn harvest.
The reason why the town has a lottery is not explicitly stated in the story. However, it is suggested that the lottery has become part of the rite of passage each year and is seen as a "civic activity". It is also implied that there is a superstition that if the lottery is not held, crops will fail. The lottery has become so entrenched in society that it has become like a cultural cliche. The villagers continue to participate because it is something they have always done, or perhaps out of the irrational belief that not doing it will lead to negative consequences.
The closest that Jackson comes to providing an explanation as to why the lottery takes place in the town is to suggest that it has become part of the rite of passage each year. In the story’s exposition, it is clear that the lottery is seen as a "civic activity," on the same level as "the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program."
The purpose of the lottery in the village is unclear, although it is implied that there’s a superstition that if the lottery is not held, crops will fail. People continue to participate because it is something they have always done, or perhaps out of the irrational belief that not doing it will lead to negative consequences.
The townspeople are holding the lottery in part out of tradition and in part, also, out of fear. The lottery has become so entrenched in society that it has become like a cultural cliche–it is done without thought or question.
The reason why the villagers "have" to have a lottery is simply because the lottery had become a tradition that has been followed since the time of the villagers’ ancestors. As a result, the villagers have become so used to repeating this practice over and over that they do not even find anything right, nor wrong, with it.
Also, individuals are curious
How do most people in the town feel about the lottery in the lottery?
Answer and Explanation: "The Lottery" shows moral conflict in some of its characters. Many villagers see it as a way of life that has been instilled into them for generations. They lack remorse and do not hesitate in sacrificing the "winner".
What do the townspeople think of the lottery?
In reply to that: The villagers’ blind acceptance of the lottery has allowed ritual murder to become part of their town fabric. As they have demonstrated, they feel powerless to change—or even try to change—anything, although there is no one forcing them to keep things the same.
Why were people of the town so calm before and during the lottery?
The response is: Why were the people of the town so calm before and during the lottery? They were just following a tradition that had gone on for many years, and they beleived it was necessary to keep their way of life going. Who is the author of "The Lottery"?
What is almost everyone’s attitude about the lottery when it begins?
Response: Answer and Explanation: In The Lottery, as the townspeople are waiting for the lottery, their general attitude is one of anxiety. The children appear carefree because they do not comprehend the reality of the lottery.
Why do people in a town continue the lottery?
There are three reason why the people in the town continue the lottery. First, the people of the town have been holding the lottery for a very long time. In other words, the tradition of the town is to hold the lottery. This might not sound like a good reason, but in many places around the world tradition is extremely strong.
What is the point of the lottery?
Therefore, "The Lottery" shows how blind compliance, the acceptance of the Status Quo, and oblivious indifference are strong influences that can make or break a group,a tradition, or even a whole nation if it gets that far. Other than that, it is all "business as usual" in the village.
Why do villagers give up the lottery?
Most villagers can’t remember why the lottery is held, and the original props used for it—the box holding the slips of paper, etc., as well as the formal steps of the lottery ritual—have been long lost. People seem to participate reflexively, out of habit. Some villagers mention that other towns are giving up the lottery.
Why does a nondescript village still hold the lottery?
However, it now appears that the main reason the village continues to hold the lottery is that it is tradition and that people often cling to traditions because they are what the community has "always" done. The primary reason the nondescript village continues to hold the violent lottery concerns their blind adherence to tradition.
Why do people in a town continue the lottery?
There are three reason why the people in the town continue the lottery. First, the people of the town have been holding the lottery for a very long time. In other words, the tradition of the town is to hold the lottery. This might not sound like a good reason, but in many places around the world tradition is extremely strong.
Why do villagers give up the lottery?
Response will be: Most villagers can’t remember why the lottery is held, and the original props used for it—the box holding the slips of paper, etc., as well as the formal steps of the lottery ritual—have been long lost. People seem to participate reflexively, out of habit. Some villagers mention that other towns are giving up the lottery.
How important is tradition in the lottery?
Answer will be: In his eyes, tradition is most important. Once the lottery begins, people become more serious. They stop chatting and pay attention to every word spoken by the officials. Yet people still seem to not grasp the gravity of the ritual. "There goes my old man," says Mrs. Delacroix. "We’re next," says Mrs. Graves.
What happens at the end of the lottery?
There’s still an excitement, although it’s a bit sobered. Finally, by the end of the lottery, the only one who condemns it is the victim: Tessie Hutchinson. All others follow the ritual, still without true understanding since they’re not the winners. "I’ll catch up with you," says Mrs. Dunbar. "Come on, come on, everyone," pushes Old Man Warner.