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  • Essay / Class and Social Themes in Chekhov's “The Gamble” and Jackson's “The Lottery”

    The short stories, The Gamble, by Anton Chekhov, and The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, demonstrate the effects of life and existence, tradition and customs, society and class through different perspectives on these life themes. Because the stories' characters have contrasting perspectives on these similar themes, readers may experience similar ideals in two opposing ways. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The notable theme of society and class, throughout the short stories, plays a particular role in expressing how the place of a person in society can affect his ideals about life, existence and customs. In The Bet, aspects of society and class are the main factors contributing to the bet that is formed, whereby a man willingly gives up fifteen years of his life to understand and experience whether life in prison was truly more humane than life in prison. death penalty, asking yourself: “Which executioner is more humane, the one who kills you in a few minutes, or the one who takes your life? (Chekhov 1).” Because the men in the story are described as rich and successful, with no real experience of solidarity or death, their place in society pushes them to make such a decision. On the contrary, society and social class do not play as important a role in The Lottery. Because the lottery tradition is a city-wide event, every member of one's society must play, regardless of class, wealth, or social rank. As a result, even though the differences between the citizens are not noted throughout the short story, it is certain that on this day of the year, members can come together, despite their differences, to enjoy and participate in a such tradition. “It’s not fair, it’s not good!” » Mrs. Hutchinson shouted, and then they got there. (Jackson 7)” states that in this society, the lottery is the fairest thing they can do. For them to not participate and complain is unfair to everyone else who experiences it the same way, like everyone else. Traditions and customs play a major role in the reasoning behind each conflict depicted throughout the news. In The Bet, customs and ideals begin the decision, as the men debate the topic of the death penalty versus life in prison. “They considered this form of punishment to be outdated, immoral and unsuitable for Christian states (Chekhov 1).” Due to this difference in customs and beliefs, men decide to bet on personal experience of the most pleasant punishment. At the beginning of the story, the man who voluntarily imprisons himself sees life as infinite, and does not see fifteen years as unachievable, believing that he is capable of handling anything. Although, under these circumstances, his customs transformed him from an optimistic man with a positive outlook on life, to a well-educated man who finally understood that those finite details of life, such as class, success, wisdom and education mean nothing. in the grand scheme of things, because everyone will end up the same way, in death. Accordingly, traditions and customs play a similar role in The Lottery. For the city's citizens, continuing the traditions and upholding the values ​​that have survived throughout the development of their city is indisputable. At the slightest hint of questioning, people would be scorned and punished if they considered going against these customs that are so dear to them. "Mr. Summers frequently spoke to the villagers of the.