... instead of insisting on change. The story shows enough evidence that the small town was occupied with the majority of the people being followers; therefore, they will pursue the traditions that they have always practiced. The grown-ups continued to do as they were brought up to do because repetition leads to automation. The author reiterates the theme when she talks about the practices of the people in the community before the lottery was starting: "Soon the men ... out for a new one, but this would interrupt the idea of keeping things the same. Altering the black box would create confl...

• Word Count: 1068
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... to be one of the oldest and most common forms of execution while it is also one of the most symbolic. This symbolism is prevalent throughout both "The Lottery " and the Bible. Many of the first Christian martyrs were stoned to death and serve as a symbol for the innocent being wrongly executed. In addition, the story of Jesus in where he stopped a stoning with the words "He ... to bear the sins of the community. In "The Lottery, " Tessie Hutchinson is stoned to death to appease the forces of tradition, desiring a sacrifice for the atonement of the sin of others in the community. The basi...

• Word Count: 1195
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School