Why do they use the lottery to decide who to kill? Support your answer.
In the story Lottery By Shirley Jackson
In the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the lottery is used to decide who to kill for several reasons.
1. Tradition: The lottery has been a part of the village's tradition for generations, and the villagers believe that by following this tradition, they will ensure a good harvest for the year. They see it as a necessary sacrifice to maintain their way of life.
2. Social control: The lottery serves as a method of social control in the village since it instills fear and maintains the status quo. By participating in the lottery, the villagers reinforce the power dynamics within the community and ensure conformity to the established norms and values.
3. Blame and scapegoating: The lottery allows the villagers to have a scapegoat on whom they can blame their problems or misfortunes. The selected person becomes the target of their anger and frustrations, deflecting attention from potential issues within the village itself.
4. Preservation of hierarchy: The lottery helps maintain a hierarchical structure within the village. The officials and those in power, represented by Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves, control the process of the lottery. This perpetuates their authority and reinforces the divisions between the privileged and the rest of the population.
5. Fear and superstition: The lottery relies on fear and superstition to ensure compliance. The villagers believe that not participating or questioning the lottery could result in harm or even death for themselves or their families. This fear prevents them from challenging the tradition and keeps them perpetuating the cycle of violence.
Overall, the use of the lottery to decide who to kill in the story serves the purpose of reinforcing tradition, maintaining social control, scapegoating, preserving hierarchy, and relying on fear and superstition to perpetuate the barbaric practice.