Comparison/Contrast: The Lottery And First They Came

“The Lottery” and “First They Came” Comparison/Contrast Essay Throughout history people have been following the crowd without knowing what they are accomplishing by doing so. During “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, a small town conducts a traditional lottery every year which involves stoning someone to death. Half-heartedly listening to the directions and losing most of the process over time, the villagers conduct this lottery each year, killing off their friends, because the majority is doing so too. A large amount of participants does not mean it is the right thing to do. “First They Came,” is a poem written by a German Anti-Nazi, Martin Niemoller. At first he supported Hitler, he was too late to realize he was supporting the wrong side he had no one left to speak out for him. The majority of the people around him were following the Nazis but that does not justify siding with the wrong cause. Following the crowd can lead to disastrous consequences, like losing a friend or being chased by the Nazis with no one on your side left to help. In contrast, “The lottery” is unlike “First They Came,” because of the point of view is third person limited rather than first person. The villagers in “The Lottery” are following tradition, something that was used many years ago and is now outdated but do not have the courage to speak out because the majority

They both include someone sticking with majority even if they believe it is wrong because their peers are doing the same. During “First They Came,” Martin Niemoller stood with the Nazis while other groups were being killed, then he was too late when he realized it was wrong and no one was left to stand up for him when he was in concentration camps. Likewise, “The Lottery” features the villagers conducting an outdated lottery very little people agree with, especially when someone