The lottery has been a source of controversy since its invention centuries ago. It has been denounced by leaders in many countries as immoral, unlawful and scandalous. Currently, lottery tickets can be bought online, over the phone, or in person.
The lottery is seen as a form of entertainment that diminishes the economic inequalities of citizens and disregards moral standards. Supporters of the lottery argue that it gives individuals a chance to win large amounts of money and also raises money for charity.
Despite these appeals, many people continue to be adamantly opposed to the lottery. Those against it argue that the lottery is a form of gambling which creates a false sense of hope and can be a gateway to riskier forms of gambling.
It can also exploit vulnerable populations, including those with low incomes, who can become addicted to it and misuse it for quick and easy money. On top of that, research has linked lottery tickets with higher crime rates.
In a nutshell, the lottery has been mired in controversy due to its unpredictability and potential to draw people in and encourage gambling habits. It perpetuates economic inequality and has been linked to various social ills, including crime and addiction.
For these reasons, many people are in favor of the abolition of the lottery and are strongly opposed to its existence.
What is the main problem in The Lottery?
The main problem in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is the continuation of a tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation, with no one in the present generation willing to ask hard questions about why such a horrific practice is still taking place in their community.
The setting of the story is in a small, rural village in which an annual lottery is held. Each member of the village is required to take part, and their presence is essential in order for the lottery to take place.
The actual content of the lottery is never described explicitly but it is revealed that the “winner” is stoned to death by the rest of the villagers. Mrs. Hutchinson is selected as the “winner” but as she objects, the other villagers begin to pick up rocks to execute her.
Her husband tries to protect her by offering to take her place and is ultimately stoned to death instead.
The story is an allegory for how everyday life the world over can hide cruel and unjust traditions, which can continue to take place in spite of their horrific moral implications. It serves to call attention to the dangers of unquestioned conformist thinking and the catastrophic consequences that can follow from failing to think critically.
What are 2 conflicts in The Lottery?
Two conflicts in The Lottery are an individual vs. society and an individual vs. fate.
The first conflict is an individual vs. society as the surrounding collective forces the townspeople to participate in a lottery that ultimately feels inhumane and wrong. Old Man Warner and other members of the community severely pressure the protagonist to take part in the lottery, regardless of her moral qualms.
This conflict is made more complex by the passive indifference the townspeople have to the outcome and their seeming acceptance of the lottery.
The second conflict is an individual vs. fate as the protagonist experiences a sense of helplessness in a situation determined by fate. With the conclusion of the lottery, Tessie Hutchinson is the victim of a senseless and violent act that she has no control over.
Despite her appeals and argued innocence, society forces her to accept her fate and take part in the ritual killing.
Why is the lottery a misleading title?
The term “lottery” is often associated with winning a large sum of money, but in reality a lottery is a form of gambling and the odds of actually winning are incredibly low. Furthermore, a lottery is susceptible to manipulation, deceit, and fraud, which can lead to an unfair playing field.
Even if someone is lucky enough to win a lottery, there are often restrictions and taxes on how the prize money can be used, as well as conditions for receiving the money, which can be quite limiting and can make winning feel like less of a reward.
All this contributes to why the title is misleading: it implies that it is easy to win, when in reality it is very difficult.
Does the lottery target poor people?
No, lottery games are not typically targeted at poor people. The main goal of most lottery games is to provide entertainment and, in some cases, to generate revenue for important interests such as education, health care or social services.
The lottery does not discriminate, thus it is available to people of all financial backgrounds. Rather than manipulating or encouraging people to purchase tickets, lotteries typically depend on the voluntary purchase of tickets by individuals.
Further, many states allow people to purchase tickets online or through mobile apps, making it easier for people of all income levels to participate in draw games. Although research shows that lower-income households are more likely to participate in lotteries, most studies also demonstrate that lotteries don’t target poor people in particular.
Some studies suggest that the people who are most likely to buy lottery tickets are those who are younger, less educated and of lower socio-economic status, but they consistently emphasize that these demographic trends cut across all income groups.
How is the conflict in the lottery resolved?
The conflict in “The Lottery” is ultimately resolved by Mrs. Hutchinson’s death. Despite her protestations and attempts to flee, it is clear that she will be stoned to death by the town’s collectively anonymous mob of villagers.
This resolution reveals the horror of the lottery, and serves as a powerful commentary on the dangers of blindly following tradition in society. Mrs. Hutchinson’s death serves to signify the fear of stepping out of line and against the overall societal will.
The resolution of “The Lottery” also represents a warning of what could happen to anyone who challenges the status quo. It is a resounding reminder that blindly following tradition can lead to tragedy, and how such practices ultimately lead to violence and injustice.
Why did tessie get stoned in the lottery?
Tessie got stoned in the lottery because the lottery was a cruel tradition in small villages during this time period. The lottery was conducted annually and it was believed that stoning a person chosen at random would bring good fortune and prosperity to the village.
Tessie was chosen randomly and so the townspeople stoned her in accordance with the traditions. But it was a product of the beliefs of that time and place. Fortunately, the practice of stoning a person has since been widely abandoned, and incidents such as this one are not seen in modern societies.
What were Tessie’s last words?
Tessie’s last words were, “Oh, my God, they are coming in faster!” She had been standing in the middle of a village square in the 1920s, watching and waiting as a group of villagers slowly gathered around her in anticipation of an event that would determine their fortunes.
Tessie had been chosen by lottery to be the “victim” of the ritual that was to take place, known as “The Lottery. ” As the villagers continued to draw stones from a black box, Tessie’s words seemed to be a sign of despair and resignation as she realized that her time had come.
Who finally wins the lottery in the short story the lottery?
The protagonist in the short story “The Lottery” is Mrs. Hutchinson. She is the one who wins the lottery in the end, unfortunately. Despite the fact that the lottery is supposed to be a beneficient ritual that provides a lucky recipient with some sort of reward, in this case it is Mrs.
Hutchinson who is ultimately the recipient of an unpleasant fate; she is stoned to death by the townspeople after being chosen as the winner of the lottery. The story’s theme of the dangers of blindly following tradition and the arbitrary nature of fate are highlighted throughout the story and become even more poignant when Mrs.
Hutchinson is eventually chosen as the victim of the lottery.
What happened to Mrs Hutchinson?
Mrs Hutchinson was an unfortunate character in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery”. She was chosen as the “winner” of the lottery, meaning she was chosen to receive the “prize” of being stoned to death by her fellow citizens in the village.
Mrs Hutchinson had arrived late to the lottery, having forgotten the day it was supposed to take place, and had not selected a piece of paper from the lottery box. Despite this, all the pieces of paper were found to have the same black mark on them, meaning that she was chosen as the winner, despite not entering the lottery.
Despite desperately protesting her innocence, Mrs Hutchinson was quickly surrounded by her fellow villagers and pelted with stones until she died.
What is the main point the author was trying to make in The Lottery?
The main point that Shirley Jackson was trying to make in her short story “The Lottery” is that blindly following tradition can lead to horrific and violent outcomes. She highlights how it can be easy to forget that traditions which are seemingly harmless can turn into violence, and how dangerous it can be to continue following a specific practice simply because it has always been done.
Through the story, Jackson shows how powerful conformity is, and how easily a group of people can be made complicit in a terrible act simply because it is part of an established tradition. Ultimately, Jackson’s message is that society should not take tradition for granted, but should always be wary of potential consequences at the hand of the blind following of tradition.