Dangers of Tradition

“Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay”. This powerful quote by philosophical writer, Jiddu Krishnamurti, cultivates what the powerful truth which lies in the speculative fiction short story, “The Lottery”. Shirley Jackson published “The Lottery” in 1948. The time period plays an essential role in understanding the implication of this story. The 1940s is in the prime of societies fight to break immoral traditions. Shirley Jackson herself found it difficult to get much notoriety for her work in a traditionally male literary elite. Tradition is a powerful element, it can influence society for better and for worse. The power of tradition plays an important role in the social judgment of the community in “The Lottery”. Social judgment is negatively impacted by the fear of breaking tradition. Tradition can deteriorate good moral sense over time. Tradition tends to manipulate younger generation’s judgment. “The Lottery” illustrates how ignorance to tradition can negatively manipulate social judgment.

In “The Lottery”, social judgment is negatively impacted by the fear of breaking tradition. The people know that killing is immoral, however they continue to follow this tradition, and continue killing innocent. In many instances the town’s people question their tradition. “‘They do say,’ Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, ‘that over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery’”(Jackson 254). Old Man Warner replies by calling them a "Pack of crazy fools,"(Jackson 254) Mrs. Jackson also adds "Some places have already quit lotteries” (Jackson 254). This continues to anger Old Man Warner who has already been cultivated by the ways of this tradition. He responds with "...

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...nce to tradition can negatively manipulate social judgment. The town’s people show immensely poor judgment throughout “The Lottery”. This judgment has been directly impacted by the town’s tradition. Jackson shows that one must learn to face their fears of questioning their own traditions, as well as their own morality, in order to benefit the future. Over time tradition can actually deteriorate ones moral sense if it is not challenged. This in many ways relates to Jacksons own fight for an equal standard for men and women. If people do not have the bravery to face their own ignorance then things will not change, and as a result future generations will suffer the consequences.

Works Cited

Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery” 250-256. Kennedy, X. J. and Dana Gioia, eds. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 7th ed. New York: Pearson, 2013. Print.