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¶ … Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne"
Nathaniel Hawthorne and Shirley Jackson like using symbols in expressing their thoughts in stories. "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Lottery" utilize symbols to emphasize themes in each of the stories. While Hawthorne makes use of objects and names to strengthen the theme, Jackson predominantly makes use of names to consolidate her theme; she does not limit to using a single object as a significant symbol to her theme, she may use multiple symbols. These stories present symbols that portray evil. Hawthorne's symbols predominantly describe religion -- which explore both evil and good. Generally, the symbols used by Jackson portray the evil in society. There is an act of symbolism in each of the stories. The short narratives share symbols, although these symbols aim to capture different thoughts in the reader's mind (123 Helpme, 2016).
The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown, both use symbolic names. Hawthorne uses Young Goodman Brown and Faith to express decent, nice people. The name Faith carries a Christian connotation of faithfulness. The story alludes to this symbolic representation when it states that Faith was aptly named as such (211). On her part, Jackson, throughout her story, uses the symbolic, 'Mr. Graves'. He coordinates the Lottery. She does not need to give an explanation of the name.
There are many other names used as symbols in each of the stories. The ones mentioned above are the most important names with regard to the theme. Each of the stories contains names, acts and objects expressed as significant symbols (123 Helpme, 2016).
In her narration of the Lottery, Shirley Jackson makes use of third person narration to outline...
Nathaniel Hawthorne equally makes use of third person narration in the story: Young Goodman Brown. However, he approaches the matter in a different way, while Jackson tries to stir a reaction in the reader, Hawthorne, on the other hand, attempts to address inner conflict by analyzing the thoughts of the character. The two authors utilize their narratives to encourage the reader to reflect on their own beliefs, question their actions and the general surroundings. They only differ in the techniques they use (UK Essays, 2015).
Shirley Jackson does not overtly say anywhere that people of the towns are anxious about the forthcoming lottery. She makes the reader develop a significant level of apprehension in readers by use of subtle clues and hints. The third paragraph of The Lottery portrays a clear impression of the men as they troop into the town square. Jackson states that instead of talking about common subjects such as the rain, tractors, and taxes, the men gather away from the stones and joke in quiet tones and smile but never laugh. It is clear from the description of the men and general narration that it is not a normal day. Yet, Jackson refrains from explaining why people display anxiety or anticipation. She proceeds with the technique, heightening the curiosity in the reader, as the lottery approaches. Hutchinson is chosen. Tessie expresses concern for her own life. The reader is only given a cloudy hint at the repeated scream by Tessie to the effect that it is not fair (para. 80). This incident is at the end when the people of the town are set…
References
123 Helpme. (2016, August 27). Comparing symbols and symbolism in Young Goodman Brown and The Lottery. Retrieved from http://www.***.com/view.asp?id=16855
***. (2015, March 23). Comparison The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown English literature essay. Retrieved from https://www.***.com/essays/english- literature/comparison-the-lottery-and-young-goodman-brown-english-literature- essay.php
Kosenko notes, the village in "The Lottery" "exhibits the same socio-economic stratification that most people take for granted in a modern, capitalist society. Summers, whose name reflects the time of year in which the lottery takes place, is in charge of the solemn ritual. Although not portrayed as corrupt, Summer nevertheless represents an inherently violent element within modern capitalist hierarchies. Graves, whose name symbolizes death itself, is the town
The symbol in the story is the black box from which the villagers draw every year. The fact that the box grows shabbier and shabbier without being changed is an evidence of how the people generally cling to traditions and refuse to let go: "Mr. Summers began talking again about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything's being done. The black
Other characters also make a strong contribution to the theme of the story. The character of Delacroix is important because this name reflects the role of religion in this brutality, again pointing the reader to the idea that religion is a contributing factor to mankind's brutality. "De la croix" is French for "of the cross," but the character's name has been bastardized by the villagers. This symbolizes how religion has
Jackson was born in San Francisco, to father Leslie Jackson, an English immigrant and Geraldine Bugbee Jackson, who was related to the famous California architects, an association some give credit for driving her sense of place and detail for architecture in her stories. She spent most of her years in Vermont and is associated as a New England writer. The last work Jackson published, like the Lottery was one
Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a masterful short story that tricks its reader initially, and later surprises the reader into the understanding of the dynamics of scapegoat. The value of the book lies in its narrative technique that engages the reader dramatically in the textual process in such a manner that the reader participates in the act of scapegoat by means of identification with the townspeople (Lenemaja 1975). Simultaneously, when the
But there are also similarities in the characters, the setting, the plot, themes and the use of metaphor and symbolism. For example, the setting of the story is in another village, namely, Greenwich Village in New York City, where the main character, Hilda Clarence, works "as a stenographer in a coal and coke concern" (49), similar to Mr. Summer and his coal business in "The Lottery." Ms. Clarence also