Ray- I feel like it takes place in the 50s-ish. I just got that impression because they always had to men draw for people, and the husbands were referred to as "my old man" by their wives. It has a 1950s vibe.
ray- it displays to them that someone other than themselves are in control, and that they are all on an equal playing field. That no one is better than anyone else
Leslie- I was confused by that. All I got from that was that everyone was okay with throwing stones at other people, but once the tables were turned, and that person was getting stoned, they didn't like the lottery at all.
Leslie- I had the same question. I understand that they keep doing this because it is a tradition but why did they start this in the first place? How does this benieft the village?
Leslie- Maybe it was one of those things where they believed in chance and destiny and it was her turn to die, like she did something wrong that lead her to "win the lottery"
To what Dennis just asked: I think that what this story says about mankind is that we follow tradition even if it is not right. If our elders have done it for that long, it must be right. We are just following the person in front of us blindly.
I agree with you guys. Maybe this tradition arose from a long time ago, because didn't people get stoned all the time back in the day for breaking the law?
I think that this might be a sudo sacrifiece that they do. I think that this might be something that keeps the village happy. With every death there is new life.
Bren- That is what I was somewhat confused about. Wouldn't after a while they would start to feel remorse for killing their neighbor or family member or friend? I think that they are so nervous to change things so they are worried that everything will be over turned. Its kind of like old people stick to their old fashioned morals even if they are wrong. It is just the only thing they know.
Hey Ray I think this could be at any time in history. It's just about a tradition taken a little too far. And for your question to Bren, I think it keeps people in a hold pattern. By doing this, it forces tradition on them and forces them to follow customs and believe in one certain way only.
I had a connection with the black peice of paper and Pirates of the Carribean. In the movie, when Jack is wanted by Davy Jones, he is marked by the black spot and in this story, the one they are going to kill has the black spot on the peice. Also, in Hamlet (?), there was someone's wife who was guilty from murdering someone and saw a black spot on her hand.
I just thought that was weird. What do you think the symbolism of black spots are?
well i think that the host is the tradition of the lottery. i know it's kinda weird to have a thing be the host, but the villagers come to it and still follow it, so it's a host
nicole- thats what I thought too, but do you also think it was just all they ever knew? maybe they dont think there is anything wrong with it because they havent ever known anything different. does this still mean its wrong? or just a strange tradition?
Hey Black Dot discussers What else could it be? I mean if you put a star or something on the paper it seems like you are mocking there fate and goind "well, haha, you die!" The black dot seems morose yet small and quaint, making the person who draws it feel loved and somewhat doomed in a way. Im not sure if I'm explaining this well.
Bren- That is very true. Even though they don't know anything different, I think its still wrong. Its like racism. A long time ago it was all people knew and to them it was okay but now we know that it's not right and it's not fair.
well i just have a question- how do we know that the lottery is wrong? we might do things that other cultures think are sick, but we dont think anything of it. what defines wrong?
Do you think that this is a ritual used for a twisted feel of enjoyment or do you think that they feel the need to do this becuase no society can be this great?
Seth--I like your question about the lottery being random instead of logical. I think that the randomness instills a Puritan-like fear that you don't have control over your life, but instead you must rely on superstition (if you're "saved," then you act like it). This society, like that in The Crucible, seems ruled by fear because of the intentional disregard for logic.
I don't think this highlights a selfish, "I want to kill you!" atribute of human nature. Instead, I think this only shines truth on the notion that without struture and tradition, what do we follow? And if we don't know what to follow, then how can we continue to live? Humans need structure to live and survive; so, even if the tradition is terrible, they still have a structure to keep them living for something and for a purpose.
Seth- I think they see it as their duty, like population control or crime control. If they are killing people randomly, people probably aren't driven to murder because they murder people once a year.
57 comments:
Why do you think the villagers threw rocks at her in the end? wy do they do this every year?
I was just wondering...what time era do you think this story was set in?
ray- i think that it takes place today, and the lottery is something to keep the people in line and under control.
bren~how does it keep people in control?
Ray- I feel like it takes place in the 50s-ish. I just got that impression because they always had to men draw for people, and the husbands were referred to as "my old man" by their wives. It has a 1950s vibe.
ray- it displays to them that someone other than themselves are in control, and that they are all on an equal playing field. That no one is better than anyone else
Leslie- I was confused by that. All I got from that was that everyone was okay with throwing stones at other people, but once the tables were turned, and that person was getting stoned, they didn't like the lottery at all.
Leslie- I had the same question. I understand that they keep doing this because it is a tradition but why did they start this in the first place? How does this benieft the village?
How is this story a Gothic story?
maddie-
it's like "if it doesn't happen to me, then it's okay" attitude.
Leslie- I have a quote that goes along with what I just said.
"It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.
I think that shows how hypocritical the townsfolk are.
Leslie- Maybe it was one of those things where they believed in chance and destiny and it was her turn to die, like she did something wrong that lead her to "win the lottery"
leslie-
someone dies. it's gothic enough for me
To what Dennis just asked: I think that what this story says about mankind is that we follow tradition even if it is not right. If our elders have done it for that long, it must be right. We are just following the person in front of us blindly.
Leslie- I am not sure, because who would be the guest and who would be the host?
I agree with you guys. Maybe this tradition arose from a long time ago, because didn't people get stoned all the time back in the day for breaking the law?
nicole-
why do you think that they are so willing to go along with it?
this story is like Flowers for Algernon, because that story to me was about how much do we value human life? and this story asks that same question
I think that this might be a sudo sacrifiece that they do. I think that this might be something that keeps the village happy. With every death there is new life.
Haha thanks Aaron.
Kristina,
The host may be Mr. Summers?
And the guest may be the villagers?
leslie- yeah they did but it was not random like this, like why would some random person that chose out a piece of paper be killed?
leslie- but no one broke the law so what is the point?
Leslie- I think the host could have been the village as a whole.
Bren & Kristina,
I don't know. I was just thinking that maybe it could have arose fromt that and evolved over time.
..?
Bren- That is what I was somewhat confused about. Wouldn't after a while they would start to feel remorse for killing their neighbor or family member or friend? I think that they are so nervous to change things so they are worried that everything will be over turned. Its kind of like old people stick to their old fashioned morals even if they are wrong. It is just the only thing they know.
leslie- yeah I guess that could work it just seems weird because wasn't Mr.Summers a citizen in the village?
Kalyn,
Then who is the guest?
Hey Ray
I think this could be at any time in history. It's just about a tradition taken a little too far. And for your question to Bren, I think it keeps people in a hold pattern. By doing this, it forces tradition on them and forces them to follow customs and believe in one certain way only.
I had a connection with the black peice of paper and Pirates of the Carribean. In the movie, when Jack is wanted by Davy Jones, he is marked by the black spot and in this story, the one they are going to kill has the black spot on the peice. Also, in Hamlet (?), there was someone's wife who was guilty from murdering someone and saw a black spot on her hand.
I just thought that was weird.
What do you think the symbolism of black spots are?
you know how there is a black dot on the piece of paper...isn't there a thing with pirates were if they get the black spot they die?
oh sorry maddie i didnt see you posted that!
Seth- But why would killing people make them happy? How does a new life come from this?
Why do you think that this was random? Why don't you think they would stone the individual who is the least benificial to the society.
well i think that the host is the tradition of the lottery. i know it's kinda weird to have a thing be the host, but the villagers come to it and still follow it, so it's a host
Do you guys know who Saint Steven is? This story reminds me of him, except he took his punishment without complaining and competing.
nicole-
thats what I thought too, but do you also think it was just all they ever knew? maybe they dont think there is anything wrong with it because they havent ever known anything different. does this still mean its wrong? or just a strange tradition?
Nicole-
I know it doesn't make sense?
Why would they do this?
it's like jack sparrow! the black spot on his hand. johnny depp was the main character in pirates and edward scissorhands. ha! connections!
Aaron,
that's a good thought! I never thought of it that.
Do you think that the town had committed a sin. That could be the reason why they used a lottery.
Maddie-- I think the symbolism with the black is that all the light is gone, giving off a sense of hopelessness, which most evil thrives on.
Brennan-
but why would it start to begin with?
leslie, which thought haha?
This story reminds me of ancient sacrifice like with the aztecs and how they killed people for the gods
Haha Ray, I think that the black spot is symbolic of being dirty and unclean. I'm not really sure how it connects, but its a start...
Hey Black Dot discussers
What else could it be? I mean if you put a star or something on the paper it seems like you are mocking there fate and goind "well, haha, you die!"
The black dot seems morose yet small and quaint, making the person who draws it feel loved and somewhat doomed in a way. Im not sure if I'm explaining this well.
do you guys think it was all something that the village had to "rid the village of sin or evil people", like as a thing of chance?
Bren- That is very true. Even though they don't know anything different, I think its still wrong. Its like racism. A long time ago it was all people knew and to them it was okay but now we know that it's not right and it's not fair.
well i just have a question- how do we know that the lottery is wrong? we might do things that other cultures think are sick, but we dont think anything of it. what defines wrong?
Do you think that this is a ritual used for a twisted feel of enjoyment or do you think that they feel the need to do this becuase no society can be this great?
nicole-
thats true :)
Aaron,
the thought about the lottery being the host.
bren~each persons own opinions define wrong
Seth--I like your question about the lottery being random instead of logical. I think that the randomness instills a Puritan-like fear that you don't have control over your life, but instead you must rely on superstition (if you're "saved," then you act like it). This society, like that in The Crucible, seems ruled by fear because of the intentional disregard for logic.
I think that what makes this wrong is the fact that the villagers are doing this to each other..how can be happy after doing that to someone?
I don't think this highlights a selfish, "I want to kill you!" atribute of human nature. Instead, I think this only shines truth on the notion that without struture and tradition, what do we follow? And if we don't know what to follow, then how can we continue to live? Humans need structure to live and survive; so, even if the tradition is terrible, they still have a structure to keep them living for something and for a purpose.
Seth- I think they see it as their duty, like population control or crime control. If they are killing people randomly, people probably aren't driven to murder because they murder people once a year.
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