The Lottery, Shirley Jackson

Target Language or Knowledge:

The Lottery The lottery represents any action, behavior, or idea that is passed down from one generation to the next that's accepted and followed unquestioningly, no matter how illogical, bizarre, or cruel. The lottery has been taking place in the village for as long as anyone can remember. It is a tradition, an annual ritual that no one has thought to question. It is so much a part of the town's culture, in fact, that it is even accompanied by an old adage: "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon." The villagers are fully loyal to it, or, at least, they tell themselves that they are, despite the fact that many parts of the lottery have changed or faded away over the years. Nevertheless, the lottery continues, simply because there has always been a lottery. [...] The lottery is an extreme example of what can happen when traditions are not questioned or addressed critically by new generations.

behavior idea accepted unquestioningly illogical bizarre long annual culture adage June heavy loyal changed Nevertheless simply extreme traditions questioned critically