The dangers of blindly following traditions, Cooray Mark

Abstract

Each society has a conventional way of life. Traditions are a part of society and hence the need to pass them on to generations (Cooley). They give the community a unique identity because they have a symbolic meaning with significant importance. The essence of traditions is to ensure that the young people learn, enjoy and appreciate the society's way of life. Traditions have a special significance because they connect the present with the past (Cooray). However, it is vital to understand that, despite the significance of traditions, the society does not need to conform to outdated practices. As Cooray affirms, individuals must cherish their past, but they must never carry them as a burden into the future (Cooray). People need to do away with traditions that may be destructive for the humanity. Shirley Jackson illustrates the dangers of blindly following traditions in her short story The Lottery.

In The Lottery, the villagers had a tradition of playing lottery. They would perform the lottery every 27 June of every year. It is indeed a tradition since Old man Warner asserts Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery (Cassel)." From the onset, the reader anticipates that it is a typical game where there are winners and losers. The preparations seem harmless, and the reader cannot help but conjecture what kind of lottery the villagers would play.