Forget Tradition: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon
Conclusion
Work Cited

Introduction

Literary works are usually filled with meaning throughout their entire texts. Understanding what an author wants to express may require reading their story thoroughly. One significant thought is often the quintessence of a literary work that one can only comprehend through a deep and thorough analysis of the whole story. However, sometimes even a single quote, phrase, or passage can possess significant meaning. The short story named The Lottery written by an American writer Shirley Jackson can be called an exemplifying work in this case. One of the story’s characters, Old Man Warner, says that there “used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon’” (Jackson 14). It may seem like an insignificant saying, but there is much meaning to that. That quote supposedly means Warner’s disdain for those who quit lotteries and his devotion to the tradition that precedes his birth.

Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon

First of all, it appears as if Old Man Warner wanted to express his disdain for other people who now do not wish to conduct a lottery or participate in it. The lottery for the old man is something that should not change or disappear under any circumstances. When Mr. Adams informs Old Man Warner that the people of the north village think of abandoning the lottery, he calls them fools, adding that the lottery has always been there (Jackson 14). The old man cannot understand anyone who does not accept the lottery, as it is a part of life for him, just like waking in the morning or breathing the air. That is the reason why Warner assimilates the lottery with the upcoming harvest of corn: the first event is just as inevitable as the second one.

There is a high chance that Old Man Warner is not concerned about the lottery itself as he is worried about preserving the old traditions. The lottery had become a traditional event in the villages long before Warner was born, and he is now the most aged man in town (Jackson 7). Thereby, the lottery for him is equal to tradition, and he wants other people to respect it and never forget about their ancestors’ ways. Warner’s ancestors harvested corn in July, and they conducted the lottery in June, and changing that would destroy the established order and, thereby, the community itself.

Furthermore, even the saying under discussion is rhymed, making it sound like an aphorism. In other words, in Old Man Warner’s opinion, the lottery’s existence should be viewed by people living in the town and the nearby villages as ordinary and commonplace. The man is confident that there is only trouble in the fact that some places have quit lotteries (Jackson 14). Once the lottery is forgotten, the habitual way of life will be destroyed, and Old Man Warner cannot accept that.

Conclusion

Overall, the quote under discussion illustrates Old Man Warner’s contempt towards people for forgetting about the lottery and his loyalty to tradition preceding his birth. Warner believes that people from the villages that want to quit lotteries are fools since that action can only cause trouble. The lottery for him represents tradition – the way of life that his ancestors established, followed, and wanted their descendants to follow. “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon” sounds like an aphorism which means that the lottery is just as inevitable and natural as the corn harvests in the summer. That saying demonstrates Old Man Warner’s devotion to traditions and his refusal to forsake them.

Work Cited

Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery. Creative Education, 2008.

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Forget Tradition: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

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