Respond in a well-organized essay. Answer is written in complete sentences.
In her essay "Writing Short Stories" Flannery O'Connor says this about characterization:
"You can't cut characters off from their society and say much about them as individuals."
"You can't say anything meaningful about the mystery of personality unless you put that personality in a believable and significant social context."
Consider the quotations above. Then pick a story you read in Semester A, and evaluate how the social context and the characters work together not only to provide a vivid setting, but also to help explain and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and actions.
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In "Writing Short Stories," Flannery O'Connor proposes that it is impossible to truly understand a character unless they are placed within a social context. According to her, characters cannot be isolated from society and then analyzed independently. Rather, their thoughts, words, and actions can only be explained and developed in relation to the social setting in which they exist. This idea can be seen applied in the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson.
"The Lottery" takes place in a small, rural village where the inhabitants gather annually to perform a lottery. The story begins with the description of a typical town, emphasizing the seemingly friendly and welcoming nature of the community. However, as the story progresses, the true character of the town is revealed through its participation in this horrific event. The social context of the story, the village and its customs, not only provides a vivid setting but also illuminates the characters' thoughts, words, and actions.
One character that exemplifies the influence of social context on characterization is Mrs. Hutchinson. At first, she appears like any other member of the community, engaging in friendly banter with her neighbors. However, as her name is drawn for the lottery, her true nature is unveiled. She becomes aggressive and defensive, protesting against the fairness of the procedure. Her transformation from a regular citizen to a desperate, pleading individual can be attributed to the social context in which she exists. The town's tradition of the lottery instills a sense of fear and conformity in its inhabitants, causing Mrs. Hutchinson to react in such a desperate manner.
In addition to Mrs. Hutchinson, the other villagers also exhibit behavior that can be explained through their social context. The men, for example, participate willingly in the lottery. Their acceptance and enthusiasm for this ritual reflects their adherence to tradition and their willingness to maintain the status quo, regardless of the morality of their actions. This conformity can be linked to the social pressure placed upon them by their community, which values tradition above all else. The women, on the other hand, are shown to be more open to questioning the procedure. They discuss potential changes and adaptations to the lottery, indicating a glimmer of dissent within the community. However, their opinions are ultimately overshadowed by the social pressure imposed upon them.
Furthermore, the social context of the story also serves to heighten the impact of the shocking ending. The seemingly ordinary village setting, with its quaint houses and friendly neighbors, masks the darkness and cruelty of the lottery. By establishing this contrast, Jackson effectively emphasizes the power of social context in shaping individuals' thoughts, words, and actions. The readers are left questioning their own assumptions and the role social context plays in their own lives.
In conclusion, Flannery O'Connor's statement that characters cannot be understood without considering the social context in which they exist is exemplified in the short story "The Lottery." Through the examination of characters like Mrs. Hutchinson, as well as the collective behavior of the villagers, the importance of social context in shaping thoughts, words, and actions is revealed. The social context of the story not only provides a vivid setting but also helps to explain and develop the characters, ultimately leaving readers with a disturbing awareness of the impact of social factors on individual behavior.