Question

Why do you think the narrator chose to have Old Man Warner address the news of another village stopping the lottery? "The lottery"

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

"The Lottery" is a short story by author Shirley Jackson that caused controversy back when it was published. In a small rural town, a lottery is carried out every year. It turns out that, in the end of it, the person whose name is picked is killed by the other villagers, stoned to death.

At a certain point in the story, someone comments that other towns have given up on carrying out the lottery. Upon hearing that, Old Man Warner criticizes such places. The reason why the author chose to have Old Man Warner make such a comment is because he is the symbol of attachment to traditions and reluctance to progress. Old Man Warner is proud of being old, because that means he has escaped death for so many years. He also seems to have a superstitious belief that the lottery is necessary. It is almost like a human sacrifice so that the crops will grow properly. Old Man Warner represents the blind faith that so many people have in real life, the kind of faith that leads to prejudice and violence.