It often seems that fictional characters are under stress and that they lead lives of great difficulty. To what degree do the difficulties that character experience bring out either good or bad qualities, or both? ( In Shirly Jacksons the Lottery, or Young Goodman Brown)
um...maybe if you read you'd know
In both Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown," the difficulties and stress that the characters face bring out a combination of good and bad qualities. Let's explore this further.
In "The Lottery," the townspeople partake in a ritualistic lottery, where the selected "winner" is stoned to death. As the protagonist, Tessie Hutchinson, realizes that her family has been selected, the stress and difficulty of the situation bring out both good and bad qualities in her and the other characters. On one hand, the stress reveals her desperate desire to survive and protect her family, which can be seen as a good quality. However, desperation also leads her to turn against her fellow townspeople by protesting the fairness of the lottery, displaying a darker side. This lottery tradition forces the characters to confront their own morality and ultimately reveals the evilness existing within the community.
Similarly, in "Young Goodman Brown," the protagonist, Goodman Brown, embarks on a journey through a dark forest, encountering devil worship and witnessing the corruption of his fellow townspeople. The difficulties and stress he faces throughout the story bring out both good and bad qualities in him. Goodman Brown initially displays a strong sense of faith and morality as he resists the temptations of the devil and tries to cling to his beliefs. However, the stress and disillusionment of the journey ultimately lead him to lose faith in his community and humanity as a whole. This reveals a darker side of his character, as he becomes distrustful and judgemental, which can be seen as a negative quality.
In conclusion, the difficulties and stress experienced by the characters in both "The Lottery" and "Young Goodman Brown" bring out a mixture of good and bad qualities. As they grapple with challenging circumstances, their true nature is revealed, showing both their noble and darker sides. These complexities contribute to the overall themes, symbolism, and impact of the stories.
To evaluate the extent to which the difficulties that fictional characters experience bring out good or bad qualities, or both, in situations like Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" or Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown," we need to closely analyze the text and the characters' actions. Here's how you can approach this question:
1. Read the texts: Start by thoroughly reading both "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Take note of the characters' experiences, the challenges they face, and their responses to those challenges.
2. Identify the difficulties: In both stories, the characters face unique challenges. In "The Lottery," the townspeople participate in a brutal ritual, and in "Young Goodman Brown," the protagonist is faced with a moral dilemma during a mysterious journey. Make a list of the specific difficulties that the characters encounter throughout the stories.
3. Analyze character responses: Examine the characters' actions, thoughts, and behaviors in response to the difficulties they face. Consider both their immediate reactions and any deeper transformations or realizations that occur as a result of their experiences. Look for instances where the characters display qualities that can be seen as good or bad.
4. Look for evidence of good qualities: Consider if the characters' difficulties elicit positive qualities in them. For example, in "The Lottery," some characters may show compassion or resistance, while in "Young Goodman Brown," the protagonist's challenge may reveal his capacity for self-reflection or moral dilemma.
5. Explore evidence of bad qualities: Also, look for instances where the characters' difficulties bring out negative qualities. In both stories, characters may show callousness, hypocrisy, or a willingness to conform to societal expectations without question.
6. Consider a combination of good and bad qualities: It is essential to acknowledge that characters' responses to difficulties are rarely entirely good or bad. Often, characters exhibit a combination of qualities that may be influenced by personal beliefs, external pressure, or societal norms. Identify instances where characters display both positive and negative traits simultaneously.
7. Draw conclusions: After your analysis, draw conclusions about the degree to which the difficulties impact the characters' qualities. Determine if the challenges bring out predominantly good, bad, or a mix of both qualities. Support your conclusions with specific examples and quotes from the texts.
Remember, when evaluating character qualities, it's essential to consider the context of the story, the characters' motivations, and the intended themes or messages conveyed by the authors.