"The Lottery" (1948)
by Shirley Jackson
** this website won't allow for links; therefore, I couldn't put the link of this story** (the short story is online for reference)
The question that needs to be answered is:
EXPLAIN the source of horror in Jackson’s story. (Hint: Would the story be horrifying if it were completely unbelievable? (would the story be scary if it wasn’t true))
{You may also want to consider the story as parody of one of the glories of American life: Free and democratic elections with universal suffrage. }
I'm really confused on what the question is asking. Obviously the story wouldn't be horrifying if it were false, however, the idea in itself in follow people without thinking first is scary.
This story is fiction, yet it is still horrifying. It shows how people can do harm to others when they believe violence against others will help them. Think about the acts of violence against minorities today that are committed by people who believe they are helping society.
The question is asking you to explain the source of horror in Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery". The story revolves around a seemingly idyllic town that holds an annual lottery, but as the narrative progresses, it is revealed that the "winner" of the lottery is actually stoned to death by the other townspeople. The horror in the story comes from the contrast between the ordinary setting and the brutal violence that takes place.
The question suggests that the story would not be horrifying if it were completely unbelievable. In other words, if the events depicted in the story were unrealistic or detached from human experience, they would not elicit the same sense of horror. This implies that the story's terror comes from its plausibility. The story taps into readers' fears by depicting a cruel and senseless act carried out by ordinary people in an otherwise normal setting. This makes the events feel disturbingly possible, which adds to the horror.
Additionally, the question prompts you to consider the story as a parody of free and democratic elections with universal suffrage. In the context of the story, the lottery is presented as a long-standing tradition that is blindly followed by the townspeople without questioning its morality or necessity. This can be seen as a critique of the unquestioning nature of certain societal rituals, such as elections. The story suggests that blind adherence to tradition or authority can lead to harmful and unjust acts, highlighting the potential dangers within societies that uphold the ideals of free choice and democracy.
In summary, the source of horror in "The Lottery" lies in the juxtaposition of violence and brutality within an otherwise ordinary and believable setting. The story's plausibility and its critique of blind adherence to tradition contribute to the sense of horror for the reader.