Much of this is going to be dependent on what has been
taken away from the short story as the most meaningful elements. On one hand, I think
that an interesting take on customs or traditions can be how they can operate as
pretenses for abuse. The village tradition or ritual is a veil for abuse and cruelty.
Jackson's short story resonates when contrasted with other traditions that are not
questioned nor repudiated after analysis and reflection. Consider the reaction of Old
Man Warner when confronted with the idea of removing the
lottery:
During the time it takes to complete the
drawing, Mr. Adams notes that some towns have started to talk about doing away with the
lottery. Old Man Warner, participating in his seventy-seventh lottery, snorts at the
idea and says that would only cause
trouble.
I think an
interesting exploration would be of how tradition sometimes becomes accepted without
question or thought. In this process, tradition can become a pretense for abuse
perpetrated at the hands of one person or a group of people over a silenced
voice.
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