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My original essay is a compare and contrast about the short stories “the lottery” and “where are you going where have you been” about societal conformity. I wrote about how in the lottery the message is the danger of blind adherence and in the story where are you going where have you been the main character doesn’t listen to society and her family and gets herself into trouble so they are kind of opposite messages. The essay was a bit messy but I have my teachers comments and 3 pages written. The assignment now is to turn this into a research paper using outside sources. I now wanna take the idea of societal conformity and ask what the authors are trying to tell us and how much we should conform to our society. I have a source already for each story and just need my current essay improved and turned into a research paper. The essay would only need to be a little longer than it currently is like another two pages double spaced once all the research stuff is added. Again, a lot of the information I have and lots of ideas I just need it all to be organized better and the research part incorporated
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Anna Benoliel
Professor Gina Grimaldi
English Composition
5 December 2023
What are these authors trying to tell us about society and specifically how much we should
follow along with and how much we should question? What about the author’s own lives might
have influenced this? What’s the comparison between the two?
The exploration of societal conformity and rebellion in literature reveals the complex nature of
individual choices. In both Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Did
You Come From, Where Are You Going?” The authors delve into the consequences of blind
adherence to established customs and the dangers and challenges of nonconformity. To what
extent should individuals conform to societal expectations? What are the downsides and dangers
of both conformity and non-conformity?
Shirley Jackson
and Joyce Carol Oats both chose
How do ‘The Lottery’ and ‘Where Did You Come From, Where Are You Going?’ depict
the effects of blindly conforming to societal customs? What happens when the characters in these
stories go against the norms, and how do the authors reveal the consequences of such actions?
Throughout the narrative “Where Did You Come From, Where Are You Going?”
Connie’s rebellion against traditional expectations and societal norms is evident. The pressure to
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conform to conservative values, particularly as imposed by her mother, reflects the broader
societal expectations placed on young women during the time. The title itself, “Where Did You
Come From, Where Are You Going?” poses a question that resonates with the theme of one’s
place in society and the expectations that accompany it. As Connie rebels against these norms,
engaging in possibly dangerous behavior, the character of Arnold Friend symbolizes the dangers
associated with going against established societal norms. The story ultimately underscores the
value in navigating the balance between individualism and conformity, particularly at a young
age. Arnold Friend’s statement, “I’m your lover. You don’t know what that is, but you will,”
exposes his predatory intentions, highlighting the danger Connie is in. Furthermore, Connie’s
mother disapproves of her appearance and behavior, stating, “Why don’t you keep your room
clean like your sister? How’ve you got your hair fixed- what the hell stinks? Hairspray? You
don’t see your sister using that junk.” This aspect of the narrative sheds light on the complexities
of individual choices within the context of societal norms and the struggles individuals face
when navigating the tension between conformity and personal autonomy.
“The Lottery” unfolds in a village deeply rooted in tradition, exemplifying the blind
adherence of its residents to the ritual of the lottery. Tessie, despite participating in the lottery,
faces consequences when she realizes its true nature too late. This depiction illustrates the
dangers of mindlessly conforming to established customs and traditions, with Tessie’s stoning
symbolizing the cruelty and violence that can result from strict adherence to societal
expectations. In the story, the possibility of change is introduced, challenging the perpetuation of
conformity and encouraging a critical examination of established norms. In the narrative, the
phrase “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon” highlights blind acceptance and adherence to
tradition, even if it brings harm and suffering. Tessie’s exclamation, “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,”
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shows resistance and questioning of the lottery’s fairness, challenging the conformity expected
by society. Additionally, the mention of the north village contemplating giving up the lottery
suggests the possibility of change and the breaking of conformity. The statement, “There’s
always been a lottery,” reflects the deep-rooted nature of conformity within the community.
How do the consequences faced by characters who go against societal norms contribute
to the overall messages of the stories? Both “The Lottery” and “Where Did You Come From,
Where Are You Going?” serve at cautionary tales about the potential downsides of both
conformity and nonconformity. “The Lottery” highlights the potential cruelty and violence that
can result from strict adherence to tradition, while, “Where Did You Come From, Where Are
You Going?” portrays the risks and challenges of nonconformity, as seen through Connie’s
defiance of societal norms. These stories collectively underscore the importance of finding a
balance between individualism and conformity, acknowledging the downsides of both extremes.
The exploration of individual choices in these narratives encourages readers to reflect on their
own relationships with societal norms.
In what ways does the cultural context of each story influence the characters’ decisions
regarding conformity or nonconformity? . In “The Lottery,” the traditional and close-knit village
is depicted through the characters’ interactions and dialogue. The use of phrases like “Lottery in
June, corn be heavy soon” reflects the deep-rooted connection between the villagers’ customs and
the agricultural cycles, emphasizing the cultural significance of their adherence to the lottery
ritual. The communal acceptance of the lottery, as seen in the line “There’s always been a
lottery,” reinforces the cultural significance and the normalized nature of this tradition. On the
other hand, in “Where Did You Come From, Where Are You Going?” the evolving societal
norms are reflected in Connie’s struggles with conformity. The story captures the changing
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dynamics of the time through Connie’s desire to break free from traditional gender roles. In both
stories, the cultural context serves as a deeper understanding of what is influencing characters’
decisions. In “The Lottery,” it fosters collective acceptance, while in “Where Did You Come
From, Where Are You Going?” it becomes a source of tension and conflict as Connie navigates
societal expectations. The narratives include cultural aspects into the exploration of conformity
and rebellion, deepening the impact of these themes on the characters and overall narrative.
The contrast in word choice and dialogue in each story shows distinctive narrative styles.
The contrast in word choice and dialogue in each story shows distinctive narrative styles. In “The
Lottery,” the dialogue is often straightforward and matter-of-fact, reflecting the villagers’
acceptance of the lottery as an integral part of their lives. Whereas, “Where Did You Come
From, Where Are You Going?” shows a more nuanced and emotionally charged language,
especially in Connie’s interactions with Arnold Friend. The difference in dialogue styles shows
more contrast between both stories, showing the authors’ choices in portraying societal norms
and individual choices.
Hakaraia, Teresa. “Shirley Jackson’s ‘the Lottery,’ and William Empson’s Seven Types of
Ambiguity.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 9 Aug. 2019,
www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/8/3/137.
The article by MDPI titled: “Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Lottery,’ and William Empson’s
Seven Types of Ambiguity” discusses the lack of analysis by critics of Shirley Jackson’s popular
short story “The Lottery.” The passage states the reason limited in depth analysis was done of the
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story may be due to gender bias, absence of self confidence, or lack of support from her husband.
Additionally, the article talks about William Shakespeare and the idea of ambiguity in stories. It
suggests the intentional use of ambiguity in “The Lottery” to allow for multiple story
interpretations. This article aims to provide reason and understanding regarding why the story
has never been further analyzed and could help to dig deeper into the meaning of the story and
Shirley Jackson’s intentions when writing the story.
Conover, Samantha. College of Community Innovation and Education Exceptional
Education,ccie.ucf.edu/wpcontent/uploads/sites/12/2018/01/MastersCompExamStudyGuide.pdf. Accessed 24 Dec.
2023.
The passage “A false sense of security: An analysis of victims of sexual assault and the
progress we have made compared to Joyce carol oates ‘Where are you going, where have you
been?’” written by Samantha R. Conover, in a law journal, explores the connection between
Connie’s story and other modern day cases of sexual assault. She briefly summarizes Connie’s
story of assault as well as other women’s and men’s stories from the years 1974 through 2009 to
make a point about this recurring phenomenon. Further into the article, more of Connie’s story is
explained in relation to more in depth stories of assault in today’s society. The article highlights
the point that in each story the assaulters are generally trusted members of society with whom the
victims have some sort of relationship or have been told the trust. Ultimately, the article points
out the place of assault in our societies and the dangers that come with it.
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Works Cited
Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” 1948.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=bmF1LmVkdXxtcy1jcm90dHM
LWVuZ2xpc2gtOC05fGd4OjFkZTBmMzBkZDdiYTVkZg
Oates, Joyce Carol. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” 1966. Cusd200.org.
https://www.cusd200.org/cms/lib/IL01001538/Centricity/Domain/361/oates_going.pdf
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