The triumph of evil in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown and Jacksons The Lottery - Essay Example

The Triumph of Evil in Hawthorne’s (1835) “Young Goodman Brown” and Jackson’s (1948) “The Lottery” April 6, Thesis: These stories differ in terms of characters’ traditions, ironies, and motivations, while they show similarities in having powerful leaders and their possession of wickedness. Outline: The Triumph of Evil in Hawthorne’s (1835) “Young Goodman Brown” and Jackson’s (1948) “The Lottery” I. Introduction A. Two stories illustrate unbelievable evil. B. Hawthorne (1835) narrated the depraved tradition of demon worship at Salem in “Young Goodman Brown,” while Jackson (1948) described the malevolence behind a small town in “The Lottery.” C. Thesis: These stories differ in terms of characters’ traditions, ironies, and motivations, while they show similarities in having powerful leaders and their possession of wickedness. II. Characterization A.

The characters of these stories differ because of their varying traditions. B. Apart from different traditions, these texts are dissimilar because of the ironies they show regarding their characters’ behaviors. C. Another difference is that these texts indicate dissimilar motivations, where one community is ignorant and fearful, while the other is bold in their wickedness. D. Besides these differences, these texts are similar because they have leaders who sustain their traditions through their image of power. E. One more similarity is that these texts showcase immoral communities. III. Conclusion A.

Hawthorne (1835) and Jackson (1948) both captured the essence of evil that corrupts the human soul. B. This evil is made more indescribable because the whole community participates in it. C. They made stories that have similarities in leadership and wickedness, but differences in traditions, ironies, and motivations. D. Their stories leave an uneasy feeling, creating more distrustful Young Goodman Browns in the world, who, hopefully, would do more than being suspicious and bitter and do something to change horrible traditions in their midst.

The Triumph of Evil in Hawthorne’s (1835) “Young Goodman Brown” and Jackson’s (1948) “The Lottery” Two stories illustrate unbelievable evil. Hawthorne (1835) narrated the depraved tradition of demon worship at Salem in “Young Goodman Brown,” while Jackson (1948) described the malevolence behind a small town in “The Lottery.” They showed that the simplest people could be evil too. These stories differ in terms of characters’ traditions, ironies, and motivations, while they show similarities in having powerful leaders and their possession of wickedness.

The characters of these stories differ because of their varying traditions. The community in “The Lottery” practices an annual lottery. They select a person to throw stones at every year. Old Man Warner says: “There’s always been a lottery” (Jackson, 1948, p.254). They believe that traditions must stay precisely because they are traditions. While they conduct the lottery, the people of Salem in “Young Goodman Brown” practice demon worship regularly too. Deacon Gookin notes that he “[would] rather miss an ordination-dinner than to-night’s meeting” (Hawthorne, 1835, p.95). They partake in regular demon-worship meetings.

These characters habitually celebrate their traditions. Apart from different traditions, these texts are dissimilar because of the ironies they show regarding their characters’ behaviors. Jackson (1948) demonstrated that the people are more concerned of maintaining gender roles than destroying an inhumane tradition. Part of their tradition is to ask for the men in the household to draw the names for their families. When a boy steps up to draw for his family, Mr. Summer is impressed and says: “Glad to see your mother’s got a man to do it” (Jackson, 1948, p.253). Jackson (1948) indicated the superficiality of gender roles in comparison to wicked traditions.

Hawthorne (1835) focused on the irony of the gap between physical appearances and innermost traits. For instance, Young Goodman Brown cannot believe that he sees the “very pious and exemplary dame,” Goody Cloyse, deep in the forest (Hawthorne, 1835, p.93). She looks like a noble Christian woman, but, in reality, she is a witch. These stories vary in their illustrations of ironies. Another difference is that these texts indicate dissimilar motivations, where one community is ignorant and fearful, while the other is bold in their wickedness.

The community in “The Lottery” is ignorant because they believe that the box has power. They cannot change it because of the tradition it “represented” (Jackson, 1948, p.251). Furthermore, the community fears the imagined consequences of stopping the lottery. Old Man Warner reminds everyone: “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon” (Jackson, 1948, p.254). The people of Salem are not fearful, but bold in their iniquity. Goody Cloyse does not have a horse, but she “made up [her] mind to foot it” (Hawthorne, 1835, p.93). She fully intends to attend the meeting.

One community fears its tradition, while the Salem community willingly embraces it. Besides these differences, these texts are similar because they have leaders who sustain their traditions through their powerful images. Jackson (1948) described Mr. Summers as “very good at all this” (p.525). He knows how to look like a true overseer of community traditions. The same happens in “Young Goodman Brown,” where Hawthorne (1835) illustrated a “dark figure” who conducts the communion. The dark figure has a “deep and solemn tone” (Hawthorne, 1835, p.98). His voice and demeanor give him authority when he says: “Evil is the nature of mankind” (Hawthorne, 1835, p.98). These stories underline the role of leaders in supporting and continuing traditions.

One more similarity is that these texts showcase immoral communities. The community in “The Lottery” is evil because they practice a brutal tradition with abominable normalcy. Adults treat the lottery like any ordinary day without questioning its immoral nature and consequences. For example, men discuss “rain, tractors and taxes” (Jackson, 1948, p.251). They are all blind to their depravity. Hawthorne (1835) also underlined that everyone in Salem is evil, even those who may be seen as good.

He noted that the demon worshippers consisted of “grave, reputable, and pious people” and “men of dissolute lives and women of spotted fame” (Hawthorne, 1835, p.97). These communities look like they are made of good people, but, in truth, they are crooked inside. Hawthorne (1835) and Jackson (1948) both captured the essence of evil that corrupts the human soul. This evil is made more indescribable because the whole community participates in it. Hawthorne (1835) and Jackson (1948) made stories that have similarities in leadership and wickedness, but differences in traditions, ironies, and motivations.

Their stories leave an uneasy feeling, creating more distrustful Young Goodman Browns in the world, who, hopefully, would do more than being suspicious and bitter and do something to change horrible traditions in their midst. References Hawthorne, N. (1835). “Young Goodman Brown.” In X.J. Kennedy & D. Gioia (Eds.), Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing (7th ed., pp.90-99). New Jersey: Pearson. (Original work republished 2013) Jackson, S. (1948). “The lottery.” In X.J.

Kennedy & D. Gioia (Eds.), Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing (7th ed., pp.250-256). New Jersey: Pearson. (Original work republished 2013)