This is an objective essay
with the primary goal of accurately and truthfully contrasting two well-known fictional works: The Destructors by Graham Greene and The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. The short stories, which are the original works of two different writers, clearly show the differences and similarities that will be discussed in this essay. In an effort to compare and contrast both tales, the paper will focus on the themes that the authors in the two stories explored.
The Lottery - Traditional Beliefs and Practices
The Lottery is based on the life in a small town in whose residents are so deeply entwined in the old and out fashioned traditional beliefs and practices. The community gathers to play lottery where, before beginning the game they have to engage in traditions and rituals of the game such as chanting, swearing-in, performances and customs.
The Destructors - Destruction by the "Wormsley Common Gang"
The destructors, as the name suggests revolves around the lives of male teenagers who are given directions by Trevor, the protagonist, to destroy the house of an aged man. Their scheme is well drawn to launch the destruction at a time when Mr. Thomas, who owns the house, is away on holiday. (Greene, Graham) It is, therefore, evident that the themes explored in the two short stories exhibit clear lines of differences and similarities as the authors examine the various aspects in their bids to successfully communicate to their audiences.
Differences in Themes
The differences in both stories are illustrated by the fact that, First and foremost; The Lottery is a precise illustration of a rigid society whose members are stuck in their ancient traditional beliefs and completely reluctant to adopt any type of transformation or change, the theme of rigidity. Further, the story illustrates how the evil nature of the people in the entire society can be detrimental more than serial murders. (Jackson, Shirley) The outdated traditional beliefs held by the conservative society represent the following of a multitude which can result in a major disaster and dire consequences. On the other hand, The Destructors is a sole concentration on the cynical approach and the destruction by the "Wormsley Common Gang". The story is mainly founded on the theme of destruction as the teenagers commit themselves to the scheme by Trevor to destroy the old man's house. The teenage gang launches their destructive mission while Mr. Thomas is away on holiday with a plan to initiate the destruction from the house interior. When the old man comes home early, he is denied entry into the house until the destruction is finalized by the lorry that pulls the pole supporting the house. (Greene, Graham)
Themes of Tradition and Customs
The Lottery is also founded on the theme of tradition and customs as the story revolves around the residents of the town and the ritual, rotary which seems to be an eternal affair in the society. None of the town residents appears to have any clue about the origin of the rotary but they are all inclined to the practice. (Jackson, Shirley) The customary tradition, the rotary, is hyped by the villagers such that it seems to be a natural feature against which no villager can attempt to rebel. On the contrary, the theme of conflict between the old and young generations is dominant in The destructors. The gang adopts a malicious scheme against an old man and proceeds to destroy his magnificent house in the town. When the old man comes home early, the gang locks him in the outhouse and brings down the house by pulling the house support with a lorry. (Greene, Graham)
Similarities in Themes
Despite the differences, the two stories exhibit various similarities in the thematic areas explored. Blind followership/ loyalty are exhibited in both stories. In The Lottery, the blind followership is depicted in the area of tradition. The villagers in the town are totally blinded by their traditional beliefs and nothing can stray them from following it. (Jackson, Shirley)They have been converted to insensitive and inhuman beings who violently murder one of their own each year as per their tradition. The strong allegiance to the traditional practice is reiterated despite the fact that none of the villagers has even the slightest clue about the origin of the tradition, its benefits, and any possible end to the same. It's quite hilarious to see a whole village gambling to determine who will face the lottery death. The blindness is further illustrated by the violence deployed to execute a fellow human being: by stoning to death. The practice is a backward practice which is too outdated to be practiced by any human society. Blind loyalty in The Destructors is illustrated by the quick and unquestionable acceptance and execution of the scheme by Trevor by the gang of teenagers to destroy the house of an old man. (Greene, Graham) It's rather an element of foolishness to buy such a barbaric idea of violence to act in a manner that is more punitive than rewarding. The gang acts irrationally by committing to execute Trevor's scheme to demolish the old man's house in the town. In both stories, the authors portray characters who blindly give in to ideas and beliefs without questioning their authenticity.
Theme of Violence
Violence is also a common theme in both stories. In the destructors, the teenagers violently execute the plan to demolish an old man's house. (Greene, Graham) It's so unfair that the young men even lock the old man outside when he comes home early so that they can first accomplish their destructive mission. In the lottery, an individual is violently stoned to death each year in the town as a result of the barbaric traditional beliefs. The culprit faces unwarranted violence as they lose their life to stoning in the town.
Conclusion
The themes explored by the authors of both stories are clear illustrations of the real lives lived in the world. The authors succeed to illustrate the realistic challenges in life. For instance, in The Lottery, the author illustrates how the aged people in the society are too much into the old traditional beliefs as well as their reluctance to adopt any change in the same. The people are too rigid and seem comfortable with their ways of life despite the existence of any better lifestyles. The reality of life in The Destructors is evidenced by the violence, destruction, and selfishness of the teenagers at the expense of the old man.
Works Cited
Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” The Lottery and Other Stories. New York: Farrar, 1991.
Greene, Graham. The Destructors. 1st ed., Mankato, Minn., Creative Education, Inc., 1990.
