Comparing The Lottery And The Catbird Seat

Rough Draft #2

“The Lottery” and “The Catbird Seat” contain many contrasting aspects, especially their themes. Two main contrasting themes are gender roles and the power that controls the plot. Men are dominant in one story while women are dominant in the other as well as the power of tradition leading one plot versus the power of the Catbird seat leading the other. First off, a major contrasting theme between both stories is gender roles. In “The Lottery”, Jackson gives more influential power to men. This concept is especially apparent at the beginning of the lottery ritual as Mr. Summers announces “I’ll read the names – heads of the family – and then the men come up and take a paper out of the box.” (165). His announcement proposes the

The power that controls the plot of “The Lottery” is the power of tradition. For instance, when the idea of discontinuing thlottery ritual is metioned, Old Man Warner becomes very defensive of the old tradition retorting “Nothing but trouble in that, pack of young fools.” (164). His retort declares thst the lottery has been around for a long time helping shape their society and most people feel that discontinuing the tradition would cause the downfall of scoeity. Old Man Warner also adds “Senenty- Seventh year I’ve been in the lottery” (165) which means his whole life has been shaped around the lottery. The peoples will to keep the tradition of the lottery alive powers the plot to the story. On the other hand, “The Catbird Seat” plot is powered by the desire to be in the catbird seat, which is basically an enviable postion that has the upper hand. An example of this power is displayed as Thurber writes “Mrs. Ulgine Barrows stood charged with willful, blatant, and persistent attempts to destroy the efficiency and system of F&S.” (387). His statement about Mrs. Barrows shows that she wants to have the power nd control and this desire to be in the Catbird seat powers her actions. Thurber also adds “It was competent, material, and relivent to review he advent to rise to power.” (387). This additoional statement adds to the proposed actions being controlled by this desire of being in the catbird seat.