Tradition concepts and historical significance

¶ … tradition in general.

Tradition as it applies to these stories

The strength of a community depends on tradition, though it can be a healing or a destructive force

Ultimately, it is the way tradition is used, and the extent of its mutability, that determines its value.

Tradition in "Dead Man's Path"

Mike Obi breaks tradition from the start

Interrupts others' traditions with his own adopted traditions from the church

In attempting to assert control over traditions, destroys his own

Tradition in "Lottery"

Tradition followed blindly, without reason

Suggestions of ending tradition met with resistance, not discussed

Tradition without discussion is senseless and unfair

Conclusion

A. Communities are built on traditions

Tradition can draw together and close out C. Tradition is important, but an open mind is more so Tradition in Lottery and Dead Man's Path

Tradition is very important to all people, whether or not they realize it. For some, tradition takes the form of religion; for others, traditions are created primarily by ancestors and with family members. For still others, tradition is just the comforting -- or depressing -- routine of daily life. One source of tradition that seems to be fading in the Westernized world -- or at lest in the United States -- is the community. There are still parades and homecomings, but they are not enjoyed with the same relish nostalgia suggests of bygone days. Still, community tradition is not an unknown concept, and two very different short stories take two very different -- yet remarkably similar -- stories. In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," a small town gathers as they have every year since long before any of those present were born to ensure the prosperity of their town. In "Dead Man's Path" by Chinua Achebe, an over-eager schoolteacher disrupts the traditions of a small African village, and their reaction is equally disruptive. Both stories deal with communities drawing strength from tradition, though they take different views of that source. Ultimately, it is the way tradition is used, and the extent of its mutability, that determines its value.

The teacher in "Dead Man's Path" breaks with the tradition of his ancestors in the first paragraph of the story; we learn that Michael Obi was a student for the Missionary, and they are his employers as a teacher. When his new school garden blocks an ancestral footpath that the villagers consider sacred, Obi is unwilling to bend. Confronted with traditions that are not -- at last any longer -- his own, his response is to simply dismiss those traditions as foolish. He views such illogical tradition as useless and important, and assumes that simply by asserting his will he can break generations of practice. The village priest comes to talk to him, and says, "If you reopen the path we shall have nothing to quarrel about. What I always say is: let the hawk perch and let the eagle perch'" (Achebe). What the priest means is that he is willing to accept Obi's new traditions, so long as they do not interrupt his old ones. When Obi refuses and the school is partially destroyed, tradition wins, and blind denial loses.

Tradition also wins in "The Lottery," though the outcome is far from happy. The lottery of the title selects one person from the town every year to be stoned to death by the other townspeople. Only one line is ever given as a practical explanation for this; a sing-songy rhyme that suggests it is for a good corn harvest. None of the townspeople described are farmers, and in general it seems like the people do this only because it's what they've always done, out of blind adherence to tradition. A few times it is briefly suggested that the lottery might not be necessary, but it never grows into a serious conversation: "Some places have already quit lotteries.' Mrs. Adams said. 'Nothing but trouble in that,' Old Man Warner said stoutly" (Jackson). No reason is given why stopping would be bad, just as little reason is given for it being good. Tessie Hutchinson begins complaining it's unfair as soon as her husband draws the mark, and continues to protest as she is selected and stoned. No one ever offers an explanation other than that she should be quiet and play fair. This tradition is as blind as Obi's response to tradition; without truly listening and adapting, tradition creates something almost evil.