The impact the individual has on changing the world
Mankind has a choice between good and evil. Society and culture can have a great impact on the choices of an individual, because of man’s need to belong. In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and “Child by Tiger” by Thomas Wolfe; both authors encourage the reader to explore in depth the subconscious role society plays collectively in influencing an individual’s choices and the individual responsibility when following these false beliefs. The authors of both literary works challenge their readers to question the status quo and search for new truths in the battle to overcome evil. The main characters, Mrs. Hutchinson from “The Lottery” and Dick Prossser from the “Child by Tiger” help the reader understand personal responsibility and society’s role in shaping the world.
In both literary works, the setting starts out idyllic and surreal. The location could very well be anyone’s home town. An example of the setting described in “The Lottery by“Jackson “The fresh warmth of a full summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass richly green.” “They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip” (Kennedy, 2010,p.213). Wolf describes a day “late in October and there was a smell of smoke, of leaves burning in the air,” “several of the boys were playing football” ( Wolf,2010, p.153). These benign familiar settings help the readers feel comfortable and familiar only to reveal in these places of perceived comfort lurk, the foreboding false beliefs that challenge and destroy the fabric of society.
A common theme of prejudice and victimization is addressed in both Jackson and Wolf’s literary work. Both authors evoke the reader to explore the role of the victim and the perpetrators part in shaping their own community. The characters in both essays are presented as ordinary moral individuals faced with the evils and prejudices of society. Upon further investigation, it is revealed that the characters that are portrayed as victims are as sinful and evil as their perpetrators.
Mrs. Hutchinson status in society comes to light in a subtle way. First, it is revealed when only boys are collecting rocks for the lottery. “The girls stood aside talking among themselves” (Kennedy, 2010,p.213) .It is also indicated the women were stoned if their family’s name was chosen, making the women the target in this society. This was suggested when Mrs. Summers “reminds her that daughters draw for their husband’s family” (Kennedy, 2010,p.217).The audience is made aware of Dick Prosser place in society more directly when the author refers to him as “Dick Prosser, Sheppertons’ new negro man” ( Wolf,2010, p.154).
In both works of fiction the characters are presented with a choice between good and evil. At first, they each attempt to resist the wicked norms, traditions, and ideologies of their culture. Mrs. Hutchinson stays home doing dishes and pretends to forget the lottery all together (Kennedy, 2010,p.215). Staying home was Mrs. Hutchinson way of attempting to resist the lottery. Mrs. Hutchinson then fell to the pressures of conformity to participate. Upon participation, Mrs. Hutchinson own morally corrupt character is revealed. When her name is chosen, Mrs. Hutchinson turns on her own children to save herself. “She turns to her daughters, there’s Don and Eva she yelled maliciously make them take a chance” (Kennedy, 2010,p.217).
Wolfe gives the reader clues, as to how the character Dick Prosser fights the wrongs society has perpetrated on him. “An old Bible with a limp cover almost worn out by constant use” ( Wolf,2010, p.154). These suttle images encourage the reader to believe Dick Prosser is a man of faith. Dick Prosser demonstrates practicing his faith when he is attacked by an intoxicated white man and does not return any violence ( Wolf,2010, p.158). The shadow of sin is placed over Dick Prosser character when he goes on a shooting spree ( Wolf, 2010,p.164). It is implied by the author this act was premeditated because the last thing Dick Prosser read before committing his crime was the Lord’s Prayer ( Wolf,2010, p.179).
A loss of innocence is felt when the character’s who are portrayed as the victims, transgressions are worse than their perpetrators. Their failure to resist evil helps the reader understand how the society of the characters was created. It is implied by the author Wolf; Dick Prosser has knowledge of God. The reader is left uncertain of Mrs. Hutchinson’s knowledge of God. Dick Prosser made a choice not to let that knowledge transform him. Mrs. Hutchinson bore the sinful nature of all mankind. The authors of both works impart to the readers, the question of who is responsible for acts of iniquity the individual, society or both.
Jackson use of a surprise ending shocks the reader into evaluating their own tradition, culture, and false beliefs. The ending in” The Child by Tiger” leaves the reader wondering if Dick Prosser were Caucasian would this tragic ending have ever occurred. The authors impart for good to triumph over evil, society as a whole must be able to change old beliefs in the light of new truths. It is suggested this transformation takes place one individual at a time.
Kennedy,X.J. & Gioia, D (2010). Literature an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing (6th ed.). Boston, Columbus, Indianapolis, New York, San Francisco, Upper Saddle River, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Dubai, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Delhi, Mexico city, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo: Longman.
Wolfe, T. (2010) Liberty University. Retrieved from http://www.liberty.edu
In both literary works, the setting starts out idyllic and surreal. The location could very well be anyone’s home town. An example of the setting described in “The Lottery by“Jackson “The fresh warmth of a full summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass richly green.” “They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip” (Kennedy, 2010,p.213). Wolf describes a day “late in October and there was a smell of smoke, of leaves burning in the air,” “several of the boys were playing football” ( Wolf,2010, p.153). These benign familiar settings help the readers feel comfortable and familiar only to reveal in these places of perceived comfort lurk, the foreboding false beliefs that challenge and destroy the fabric of society.
A common theme of prejudice and victimization is addressed in both Jackson and Wolf’s literary work. Both authors evoke the reader to explore the role of the victim and the perpetrators part in shaping their own community. The characters in both essays are presented as ordinary moral individuals faced with the evils and prejudices of society. Upon further investigation, it is revealed that the characters that are portrayed as victims are as sinful and evil as their perpetrators.
Mrs. Hutchinson status in society comes to light in a subtle way. First, it is revealed when only boys are collecting rocks for the lottery. “The girls stood aside talking among themselves” (Kennedy, 2010,p.213) .It is also indicated the women were stoned if their family’s name was chosen, making the women the target in this society. This was suggested when Mrs. Summers “reminds her that daughters draw for their husband’s family” (Kennedy, 2010,p.217).The audience is made aware of Dick Prosser place in society more directly when the author refers to him as “Dick Prosser, Sheppertons’ new negro man” ( Wolf,2010, p.154).
In both works of fiction the characters are presented with a choice between good and evil. At first, they each attempt to resist the wicked norms, traditions, and ideologies of their culture. Mrs. Hutchinson stays home doing dishes and pretends to forget the lottery all together (Kennedy, 2010,p.215). Staying home was Mrs. Hutchinson way of attempting to resist the lottery. Mrs. Hutchinson then fell to the pressures of conformity to participate. Upon participation, Mrs. Hutchinson own morally corrupt character is revealed. When her name is chosen, Mrs. Hutchinson turns on her own children to save herself. “She turns to her daughters, there’s Don and Eva she yelled maliciously make them take a chance” (Kennedy, 2010,p.217).
Wolfe gives the reader clues, as to how the character Dick Prosser fights the wrongs society has perpetrated on him. “An old Bible with a limp cover almost worn out by constant use” ( Wolf,2010, p.154). These suttle images encourage the reader to believe Dick Prosser is a man of faith. Dick Prosser demonstrates practicing his faith when he is attacked by an intoxicated white man and does not return any violence ( Wolf,2010, p.158). The shadow of sin is placed over Dick Prosser character when he goes on a shooting spree ( Wolf, 2010,p.164). It is implied by the author this act was premeditated because the last thing Dick Prosser read before committing his crime was the Lord’s Prayer ( Wolf,2010, p.179).
A loss of innocence is felt when the character’s who are portrayed as the victims, transgressions are worse than their perpetrators. Their failure to resist evil helps the reader understand how the society of the characters was created. It is implied by the author Wolf; Dick Prosser has knowledge of God. The reader is left uncertain of Mrs. Hutchinson’s knowledge of God. Dick Prosser made a choice not to let that knowledge transform him. Mrs. Hutchinson bore the sinful nature of all mankind. The authors of both works impart to the readers, the question of who is responsible for acts of iniquity the individual, society or both.
Jackson use of a surprise ending shocks the reader into evaluating their own tradition, culture, and false beliefs. The ending in” The Child by Tiger” leaves the reader wondering if Dick Prosser were Caucasian would this tragic ending have ever occurred. The authors impart for good to triumph over evil, society as a whole must be able to change old beliefs in the light of new truths. It is suggested this transformation takes place one individual at a time.
Kennedy,X.J. & Gioia, D (2010). Literature an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing (6th ed.). Boston, Columbus, Indianapolis, New York, San Francisco, Upper Saddle River, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Dubai, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Delhi, Mexico city, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo: Longman.
Wolfe, T. (2010) Liberty University. Retrieved from http://www.liberty.edu
