The Lottery

In Shirley Jackson’s, “The Lottery,” the theme of this short story is blatantly the tribal nature of the small community that the setting takes place in.

In this short story the nature of all the community members allowing the lottery to go on for so many years is a norm for them.  They have always done it for years and years so why stop it now?  Old Man Warner has seen 70 different lotteries and he has never been chosen, with this man being in the older generation because the lottery has been going on for so long he is against the idea of it stopping now with his two cents being put in he says responding to something saying that other towns have quit the lottery “Nothing but trouble in that,” or “Pack of crazy fools,” referring to the other towns quitting a tradition that has been never been changed. 
            Tribal natures of smaller communities are traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.  And when “outsiders” or someone that tries to rebel against these tribal natures they no longer belong.  So from the standpoint of the families or members of the community standing back in the crowd instead of coming forward is relevant to say that they do not want to be the rebel to change what has always happens from years before.  Therefore the traditions of that community will still go on whether or not someone will try to change that.  The generations that have been raised that these traditions are good for them will not go against the word of the person that started them in the first place.

"Girl" Imitation

"Boy"

Put your dirty clothes in the basket after each day, do not touch the washer or dryer.  Put on a clean shirt when you decide that you want to go out; make sure that it is not from the dirty laundry.  When you go to your practice mind the coaches and your teammates; do not talk back to them they are trying to help you learn. If you decide that you want something to eat come and ask me and I will make it for you; you do not clean up after yourself very well and you are lazy.  Is it true that you try to listen to that rap noise when you are at school? always make sure to keep your mouth closed when you are eating your food; no one wants to have a sloppy man in their life.  You must remember not to talk to those girls that can't keep themselves together, not even as they pass you by; don't wear that axe cologne or the god-awfuls wills follow you; but don't listen to that rap noise in school or at all; this is how to throw a football; this is how to put your equipment on right so that you will not get hurt; this is how you pay attention so when you are at the game you are in the zone not showing yourself as someone who is lazy which you are already are.  This is how you should wear your pants so that your bum is not hanging out;  this is how your shirt should lay so that it is not too short; this is how you take care of your dog when he does something bad. This is how you treat a lady when they are to come over and visit; be respectful and tuck in your shirt; this is how you talk to a lady when she is in your presence; this is how you talk to a lady when she is not minding you.  Be sure to brush your hair and take a bath; you do not want to come off as someone who does not take pride in themselves someone that I have tried preventing you in becoming. This is how you talk to me; you must always be honest and never lie; this is how you love a woman; this is how to treat her with respect; never hit a woman; this is how you make money so that you can take care of your family; and if that doesn't work find another job that will;  you do not want to become a nobody; compete for what you want.  Always be honest and take care of yourself.  Always check with me to make sure that the girl you love will be up to my standards; but what if you do not like the girl that I want to be with?; so you mean to say that after all that i have taught you, you would really pick a girl that I would not approve of when you bring her home?