The Lottery

I believe that the ritual like the one that occurs in Shirley Jackson's short story, The Lottery, is allowed to take place year after year because it is what people are used to. "...over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery." (408). This proves that some people must be against the outcome of the lottery, which is death by stoning. One man's response to the lottery ending was, "Pack of crazy fools. Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enouch for them...." (408). Then a woman replies, "Some places have already quit the lottery." (408). Old Man Warner's response to this is "Nothing but trouble in that." (408). I think the reason that this "lottery" has gone on for so long is just because it is a tradition that everyone is used to, and some people really don't like change. I think there are many modern-day counterparts to this. One that I think of is student "hazing". Alot of times to get into a fraternity or sorority you have to go through a hazing process, which often includes being beat up. This is not right, but there are many people that still do that to this day. I really don't understand why people do this. The only thing that I can think of is that it is a tradition, and most people really don't like change!