Compare and Constrast Paper - Essay Example

Comparison and Contrast Template Topics Similarity/Difference The Lottery by Shirley Jackson To Build a fire by Jack London Evaluation/Analysis SummaryTopic of comparison #1Irony similarity #1 Both pieces of literature us the concept of irony in their writing. The use of irony can be seen in the writing where there are certain situations where there is an unlikelihood of something happening and it happens. This gives the story an unexpected twist. (Jackson, 18)Shown by the writing in the story where the main character does not have the slightest idea of what he I about to get to at the beginning of the story (London, 08).

The use of irony in both literary pieces of literature shows the appreciation of both to include literary devices which bring about the understanding of literature. difference #1 The lottery uses satire irony while To build a fire uses situational irony. That winning the lottery is often associated with one becoming rich but the lottery in this story leads to death (Jackson, 18)Situational irony is shown by the main character and the dog. Their relationship does not seem to run smoothly. Both differ in order to show the differences in literary devices and also to show emphasis on what each story is about.

Topic of comparison #2Symbolism similarity #2Both pieces of literature use the concept of symbolism in their writing. Symbolism can be seen in items such as pieces of paper, the stones, the black box, and the lottery. Man against nature, to build a fire (London, 15).Both appreciate the daily struggles that people go through in order to make ends meet. They show the relationship between nature and people, and also how other factors affect people’s lives. difference #2The lottery uses figurative symbolism while To build a fire uses Damnation symbolism.

An example is from the story where the villagers accept human sacrifice without question (Jackson, 20)“Cold and gray”, “no sun or hint of sun” London, 21). The difference in the types of literary devices shows different things. The lottery criticizes the beliefs that many people have yet they have no basis, while to build a fire shows how certain natural occurrences symbolize evil. Topic of comparison #3Foreshadowing similarity #3Both pieces of literature have used the concept of foreshadowing in their writing.

The phrase, “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones.” (Jackson, 19). "Fifty degrees below zero stood for a bite of frost that hurt and that must be guarded against” (London, 25).The two pieces of literature bring about the concept of foreshadowing in order to foretell something that is possible in the future. It creates suspense and the much needed interest in literature. difference #3The difference is that the lottery has used modern symbolism while to build a fire has used classical foreshadowing.

The best example of modern symbolism in this piece of literature is when the story begins with the gathering of rocks, then the excitement, then the fear and finally the realization that something terrible will happen to whoever wins (Jackson, 20) “The animal was depressed by the tremendous cold. It knew that it was no time for traveling. Its instinct told a truer tale” (London, 20).The lottery uses foreshadowing to express its complexity and the depth of the schemes that people find themselves in, while to build a fire uses foreshadowing to provide a more relevant basis of how the human mind functions at different times.

References Jackson, S. (2008). The lottery. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.London, J. (2003). To build a fire. Whitehorse: Wolf Creek Books Inc.