The Lottery Essays - Dystopian Literature, Films, Human Sacrifice

The Lottery The Lottery: Symbolism Essay submitted by In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson uses symbolism to make us aware of the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. The story starts off on a beautiful summer day in a small town. The author describes the day as very euphoric but strikes a contrast between the atmosphere of the town and the atmosphere of the people gathered in the square. The atmosphere is subdued, where the children are gathered around quietly. The black box is the central theme or idea in the story. It symbolizes at first some type of mystery, but as we read the ending we realize that it is synonymous with doom. Someone's fate lies in an inanimate object, the black box. We do not always enjoy change, even if it might prove beneficial to us. The box is symbolic of our loathing of change; it is old and splintered showing that we cling to what is familiar rather than change and it also symbolizes the traditions of the community. No one in the little town questions the origin of the black box, but accept it as an intrical part of their lives. The lottery itself is symbolic of the paradox of the human psyche between compassion on one hand and the thirst for violence and cruelty on the other. An example of this is when the children are enjoying a break from school, playing and being children, and suddenly they are being joined by rational adults in stoning a mother to death. It appears that tradition has blinded these people in an irrational way, making them unable to think of a reason why this possibly should not be happening. When forced with the possibility of death, human nature in all its complexity, comes down to one instinctive urge, that of survival. When Tessie was in no danger she was gossiping with the other ladies and even encouraged her husband to go and pick a piece of paper. When Tessie wins the lottery; she pleads for another chance and screams for mercy. She demands that her daughters take their chances as well, which is indicative of regression toward our basic instinct of survival. The pieces of paper that are lifted away by the breeze is not only symbolic of the ease with which life can be taken but is also symbolic of vast civilizations that were doomed to eventual failure for believing in and acting on tradition and not living according to the word of God. We see that even as Tessie is being stoned to death does she not question the reasoning behind the lottery, but why it should be her that has to die.

Reading Deeply Example

Reading Deeply Example Reading Deeply – Book Report/Review Example Things fall apart Things fall apart Mr. Smith is enthusiast and uncompromising, perceiving the world completely as far as dark and white. Under him, fan like Enoch prosper. The celebration of the earthly things comes, at a time when the egwugwu wander around the towns in disbelief about the alien culture. A portion of the Christian men ask the egwugwu to resign quickly, so that the ladies will be permitted to go to their respective homes. The egwugwu concur. As they are resigning, Enoch brags egotistically that they might not set out to tap a Christian. One of the egwugwu people hits Enoch with a stick; Enoch reveals the secret about him. To reveal a secret about an egwugwu is viewed or perceived as an unpleasant sin (Achebe, 1994). Under Smith, he thinks reason and trade off get inconceivable which portrays the cultural difference between these two cultures. For example, Enochs demonstration is hostile in all faculties. He is attempting to begin a blessed war; when Smith hides or co nceals him in his dignitary, Enoch is disillusioned because he did not like what Smith was doing. He needs blood. His provocative remark comes directly following the egwugwu liberal concession. Despite the fact that the group tries to trade off with the new government and Christian religion, it demonstrates unthinkable. The white man did not respect and appreciate the Igbo ways, and the new religion is alien, narrow minded and deceptive, in that it preaches peace on one side while serving the British government on the other side (Achebe, 1994). This clearly indicates that the two races have significant interests and different perception of life. ReferenceAchebe, C. (1994). Things fall apart. New York, NY: Anchor.

Interior Design spaces Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Interior Design spaces - Essay Example The contrasts are soft, the black and white photo that is over enlarged on the wall reflecting the hues of violet. While strictly interpreted as minimalist, the uses of color soften the overall look. The bedroom in Fig. 1 has the same concept of color use, the mildly acidic green in a wide variation of hue, mostly in the medium range. While the violet and white of Fig.2 seem to have a range within the same color, the greens have a variation of to tones, one slightly more yellow than the other. The artistic motif strings the color throughout the room, allowing for interest and movement. Both rooms use a circular motif with artistic touches to define the design elements of the space. Both rooms use a dark floor that contrasts against the white pieces within the room, creating a lifted feel to the rooms that keeps the focus high. The focal points within the space is not related to the function of either room, but what specifically relates the room in Fig. 1 to the room in Fig. 2 is that they are about the color story that is told. While the rooms are similar, the difference that can be appreciated is that the color usage in Fig. 2 is softened through the combination with the tones of grey, while the tones in Fig. 1 stand in high contrast, the greens up against the bright white.