Today, we pride ourselves as being a fair and just society. We take advantage of the liberties and freedoms given to us each day. The traditions that lie in our cultures, beliefs and customs, provide us with a sense of security and happiness. However, there is a much different consensus conveyed through the cruel and barbaric customs subsiding in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery." The unsubstantial ritual of this society reveals te traditions and blind obedience of a small village town. Moreover, the characters stress the importance of questioning what is put forth to an individual as opposed to what an individual contemplates. While a disturbing evilness exists and is concealed out of the norms of this society, Shirley Jackson shows how colness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding traditions and values.

In effect, there is a significant amount of emphasis put on death...