In both "The Lottery" and "The Pedestrian," the characterization serves to highlight the conformity and lack of individuality in society. In "The Lottery," characters like Tessie Hutchinson and Mr. Summers are presented as ordinary individuals who blindly follow tradition and turn against each other when faced with the brutal reality of the lottery. Similarly, in "The Pedestrian," the protagonist Leonard Mead is a nonconformist who is considered a threat to the society that is obsessed with technology and conformity.
However, the differences in characterization stem from the different societal contexts in which the stories are set. "The Lottery" takes place in a rural village where tradition and ritualistic practices hold sway, leading characters to act in ways that might seem shockingly brutal to the reader. In contrast, "The Pedestrian" is set in a futuristic society where technology has taken over, and individuality is seen as a threat to the status quo. This leads to Mead being seen as an aberration rather than a beloved member of society like Tessie Hutchinson in "The Lottery."
Overall, the similarities in characterization in both stories can be attributed to the authors' critique of societal norms and the dangers of blindly following tradition or conformity. The differences, on the other hand, arise from the specific societal contexts in which the stories are set, leading to different portrayals of character behavior and motivations.
Analyze how the characterization in the stories is similar and different. What explanations can you think of for these similarities and differences?
the lottery pedestrian
1 answer