Tradition in "The Lottery"

Aim: What exactly is Shirley Jackson saying about tradition and what does this have to do with conformity?

Quick Write: Put your critic's hat on and watch this student-made video of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. Say whether you liked it or not supporting your opinion with specific and relevant details.

Watch this student-made video interpretation of "The Lottery."

Identifying Issues in Literature

Every story and poem we read, movie or TV show we watch and song we listen to deals with issues that people can relate to. For example, many songs deal with issues such as falling in love or falling out of love.

The movie The Lion King deals with the following issues:

• Growing Up
• Family Problems
• Death of a Loved One
• Falling in Love
• Facing Fear

In addition to these five issues, this movie has more issues as well (such as friendship, being a leader, etc.). Most movies and stories deal with many, many issues.

List two issues that characters deal with in “The Lottery.” (Download it here if you need to: THE LOTTERY by Shirley Jackson.)

Defining Theme

Theme is what a work of literature (such as a story, movie, TV show or poem) tells us about a specific issue. When a story, poem, movie, TV show, play or poem deals with an issue, it always tells us something about this issue. For example, one song that deals with love may tell us that love is a beautiful thing. Another song may tell us that love is a struggle. And another song may tell us that love causes pain.

In The Lion King, we can take any of the issues that we identified earlier and turn it into a theme. Each issue can be turned into several different themes.
For example:

• Growing up is a series of tests and struggles that we face.
• Part of growing up is learning to deal with the loss of loved ones.
• Growing up is about facing your fears and overcoming them.
• Family problems can destroy you if you let them.
• The death of a loved one may cause pain, but it can also push you to accomplish great things.
• Falling in love can save someone’s life.
• Facing fear is necessary if you ever want to grow up.

Today's Activity

Step 1: Choose one of the quotes below, interpret it in your own words, say whether you agree or disagree and explain why.

"Just because something is traditional is no reason to do it, of course."
(Lemony Snicket)
"Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay."
(Jiddu Krishnamurti)
"`Tradition': one of those words conservative people use as a shortcut to thinking."
(Warren Ellis)

Step 2: Explain how this quote connects to "The Lottery." Use details from "The Lottery" to support your opinion.

Step 3: Answer today's Aim in a well-organized paragraph.

Discussion Question!!!!
What was the most interesting question or comment you heard today in class? Put your thoughts on the comment section below and earn one extra credit Accountable Talk II point.

What's Due

• Argument essays are overdue!!!! 
• PowerPoint on the human behavior experiments 
• Daily classwork/blog posts 
• Independent reading book 

***Don't forget to complete and turn in your "Six Elements of Engagement Daily Self-Tracker" before leaving class.

****Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.****