Sunday, October 27, 2013

How does the lottery link to belonging?

In "The Lottery," everyone in the town is expected to
participate in the "program."  In this way, crime has been done away with.  It is a way
of life for this town, but like a lottery, you can never be sure when your number will
be called.  Usually when we enter a lottery, we hope our number is
called, but this lottery offers no prize.  In this case, there is certain dread: when
your number is called, it's your turn, and you die.


The
"belonging" comes from the sense that the entire town is in the same situation.  No one
is exempt because he is more powerful, more popular, young or pretty.  The playing field
is level here, in a horrifying way.  And everyone is expected to
participate—they expect it from each other, in order to be a part of this community.
Jackson was able to think outside the box and add a macabre twist to the lives of
everyday people.  This story definitely has the feel of "The Twilight
Zone."

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