The Lottery connects closely to many different situations that have happened in real life. Some could connect it to the Aztec sacrificial ceremonies, the death of Jesus, black oppression, or even to the 9/11 bombings. The closest link in history that applies to this story, however, would definitely have to be the medieval witch hunts. As in "The Lottery", witch hunts were started out of irrational fears, ridiculous beliefs, or easily influenced minds. The methods with which they were eradicated were quite similar. The method in which they killed the "chosen one" in the story was quite torturous, but sadly it was not as horrible as when the witch hunts were in effect. They would burn them, drown them, physically torture them, throw them in pools of festering bacteria, and without any forewarning, like in "The Lottery".
The common characteristic of "The Lottery" and "The Peril's of Indifference" is that they both have the same theme. Both with completely different stories, yet both sending the same unyeildingly brutal and realistic truth of human nature: That we are capable of anything. This is not to be taken in a positive light. In one century we went through countless civil wars, two world wars, genocides, and a holocaust all to the pain and death of millions. The people in "The Lottery" feared the changing of tradition. This is much the same as the holocaust, born of fear and hatred. The Germans needed someone to blame for their failing economy, and Hitler to the rescue, he gave them six million reasons. Many people would look at this article and think that it's not possible, that we're a more advanced society now. They'd think that we couldn't possibly allow ourselves to stoop so low, and that we've learned our lessons. Well we should have learned our lessons after the witch hunts, after the death of Jesus, or after enslaving an entire race of people for sugar. Elie Wiesel warns us to be vigilant. To not let fear overcome reason, and to enter the new century with these catastrophes by our own hands, in mind.
2 comments:
Excellent blog entries, however I think my favourite part of your blog is the names you have given to the students in the class. Mine is pretty boring though. Why can't I be named after some sort of traffic signage?
I thought you'd think it was disrespectful- keep in mind i didnt really know u when we were setting these up. Dont worry i will change it ASAP.
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