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Fiction Essay Assignment
Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and Graham Greene's "The Destructors" are two
impactful short stories. Both works compel the reader to acknowledge the inherent darkness
within human nature, underscoring the necessity of prioritizing God and adhering to His will;
otherwise, as sinful beings, we risk resembling the characters in these two short stories.
Conformity and social norms serve as the primary motivators in “The Lottery,” whereas in “The
Destructors,” the predominant motivator is animosity towards established leadership. These two
narratives exhibit numerous parallels; nonetheless, they reside at opposing extremes of their
variances.
In “The Lottery,” the narrative unfolds in a small community that places significant
emphasis on tradition, which profoundly influences the behavior and beliefs of each character.
From an early age, every character is anticipated to embrace and adhere to the annual lottery. The
principal characters are Tessie Hutchinson, Bill Hutchinson, Mr. Summers, and Mr. Graves. The
inhabitants of the small town persist in engaging in a ludicrous and brutal tradition that has
endured for as long as they can recall. This irrational practice mandates a lottery method where a
family name is selected, followed by the drawing of an individual from that family, who is then
subjected to stoning to death.
Mr. Summers is the individual who effectively administers the lottery; he is highly
organized, efficient, and a leader within the community. He maintains neutrality toward the
lottery and its results, treating it as a business and ensuring its smooth and problem-free
operation. Mr. Graves is a solemn individual who exhibits no emotion and prioritizes tradition
above everything else. Bill Hutchinson's most notable feature is his propensity to adhere to
cultural traditions. He possesses a laid-back disposition and tends to avoid engaging in conflict.
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Nevertheless, his spouse, Tessie, is notably outspoken and confrontational. Composed and
unbothered, she arrived late to the lottery meeting, appearing to be shielded from any possible
threats to her family or herself. In addition to the repulsive nature of the lottery, it appeared that
society was largely blind to the extent of its irrationality.
Regrettably, Tessie Hutchinson has been chosen by the lottery as the designated family
member for that year,<which is particularly intriguing given that she initially presents in the story
as chaotic and demonstrates a complete absence of concern. Her attitude towards the lottery was
notably dismissive as if she held the belief that neither her family's name nor her own would be
chosen at all. Upon the announcement of her name, tranquility was supplanted by fear and rage.
She exhibited indifference towards the entire scenario, unconcerned with the prospect of another
being stoned to death until she discovered that she would be the target of this year's stoning. It is
easy to<remain oblivious to injustices until<they occur close to home.
Trevor, Blackie, and Mr. Thomas are the main characters<of "The Destructors". Trevor
possesses exceptional skills in persuasiveness and leadership. His considerable confidence
facilitated his rise to leadership, succeeding Blackie. Blackie has profound loyalty to the group, a
trait he possesses in common with Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Bill Hutchinson. Mr. Thomas
is a kind elderly gentleman who prefers solitude but allows the<children to play in his yard and
often gives them sweet treats. Trevor and the gang exhibit defiance towards societal norms,
setting them apart from the characters in “The Lottery.” They embrace their individuality, likely
because of the trauma experienced during the explosions in their community. Blackie shares
numerous similarities with the individuals in the other short story, as he exhibits the same loyalty
to his gang that those gentlemen do to the customs of their town.
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The characters' behaviors and attitudes are a consequence of post-war society, and the
challenges associated with the aftermath of conflict. The young guys are enraged and opt to
manifest their anger through turmoil in their town, engaging in destruction rather than seeking to
heal from the trauma they experienced. Mr. Thomas clung to his pre-war principles, finally
permitting his trust to lead to disappointment by the young men he previously allowed to play in
his yard.
The characters' motivations are firmly assessed from the text. Trevor's calm and
meticulous planning to demolish Mr. Thomas's house, coupled with his evident disdain for
conventional leadership, clearly underscores his intent to cause damage. Blackie prioritizes
leadership and respect, despite Trevor assuming the role of gang leader. He promptly complied
and acknowledged the presence of a new leader. This demonstrates that Blackie's commitment to
group dynamics supersedes his personal ambition, unlike Tessie Hutchinson, indicating that
devotion to the gang was his primary motivation. Mr. Thomas's motivation arises from his
aspiration to preserve his residence and his established routines, reflecting the practices of the
older generation during that age.
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References
Adu-Gyamfi, Y. (2024). Supplement to Online ENGL 102. Vitalsource Bookshelf Online.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781319575472/epubcfi/
6/20[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3Dch00_03]!/4/2[ch00_sec_1_3]/2/4/1:3[The%2C%20De]
Meyer, M., & Miller, D. Q. (2023). The compact bedford introduction to literature: Reading,
thinking, writing. Bedford/St. Martin’s, Macmillan Learning.
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