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Humbling Lessons in Literature

            Authors use many different tactics when composing works. The intent of the work helps determine the tools used. There are two themes that remain consistent in all writings: the purpose for writing and the attitude of the writing. In 1948, American Shirley Jackson wrote a short story for the New Yorker entitled "The Lottery." Jackson uses tradition and horror and tragedy to help lead her readers towards insight in their own lives and morals. English author David Herbert Lawrence published "The Rocking-Horse Winner" in Harper's Bazaar in 1926. Lawrence uses greed and discontent as the setting for this heartbreaking tale. Both works use pain and death to try to teach lessons about love and morals and to try to cause the audience to evaluate different aspects in their lives. .
             It can be difficult to determine an author's purpose for writing something. Shirley Jackson said that her main purpose for writing "The Lottery" was "to shock the story's readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives." She may have wanted her audience to examine and evaluate their own lives. It is possible that Jackson wanted her readers to think about their morals and values and decide their worth. The characters in the lottery followed a tradition that outsiders would think of as inhumane. But what about some of our traditions? Are there any traditions that would be inconceivable to people outside our community? Jackson accomplished her goal of using "graphic demonstration" to "shock the story's readers." It can be argued that she wanted her readers determine if some of their traditions needed to be modified or forgotten. David Herbert Lawrence's "The Rocking-Horse Winner" also causes readers to evaluate their own lives. Lawrence may have wanted his viewers to realize the blessings placed in their lives.


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