The short story “The Lottery” review
The short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson depicts an explicit feminism criticism where the author demonstrates a male-dominated society through character actions. The male characters in this particular society are represented as leaders and initiators of important events. This can be related to the fact that the lottery event was coordinated by a man (Mr Summers). This demonstrates male chauvinism that existed in this community and further demonstrated when the author writes, “soon the men began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain and tractors” (140). This shows the societal setup placed men as superior to women who had to wait for men to lead and then follow, which is seen when the women call children after standing beside their husbands. This shows the hierarchy in the society where a woman is considered secondary when it comes to making any important decision. Jackson explains when women came together “they greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip as they went to join their husbands” (140). The symbol of gossip depicts that women did not have a place in society to engage in economic activities. At the same time, men talked of the planting and taxes, which shows that they were economically enlightened than women. The community was following an old tradition where men had used gender to demean women by advocating that their roles were in the households. Jacobs and Roberts state that “feminist critics also delineate the ways both male and female characters are portrayed in literature, looking at how social norms about sexual difference are either enforced or subverted” (1576). This statement shows that the society defined gender roles which uplifted men to be independent and successful while women were left to bear children and answer to their husbands. The old traditions was being passed to the young generation where children did not respect and obey their mother as depicted on Bobby Martin’s case where he ignored his mother attempt to stand still but “His father spoke up sharply, and Bobby came quickly and took his place between his mother and his oldest brother” (140). The action shows that children had been brainwashed to think that men were more strong, wise and therefore demanded respect than female.
- The story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe explores the psychoanalytic theory approach of criticism as it reveals the hidden motive Montresor’s has towards Fortunato. The plot development depicts similarity traits to psychological analysis as “provided a new key to the understanding of character by claiming that behaviour is caused by hidden and unconscious motives”(Jacobs and Robert 1576). The complexity of understanding the character hidden reason for seeking vengeance offers psychological analysis as Montresor seems to befriend Fortunato with a hidden meaning. The physical scene they encounter is in a carnival which comes up as a joyous occasion which conflicts with Montresor’s sentiments of revenge. Furthermore, the description of Fortunato dressing attire where “The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-stripped dress, and his head was surmounted by a conical cap and bells” (Poe 250). This carries hidden meaning that Fortunato was not a wise person because his dress code describes what a fool would wear, and thus prompting the audience to think that Montresor intentions of revenging on Fortunato were disguised in his effort in convincing him to go with him to taste Amontillado deep in his family gravesite. Poe uses the description of the character motives to offer a psychoanalytic theory approach as Poe writes “We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather than glow flame” (250). The disclosure offers the reader a glimpse of Montresor motive of avenging against Fortunato in a secluded place where no one would hear or see. This proves that Montresor cunning character where he knows that no investigation will be opened or targeted towards him because nobody would ever find the body. This is tandem with the psychoanalysis criticism approach where unconscious motives prompt the behaviour of a character. The hidden motive by Montresor is to fulfil his family traditions of punishing their enemies with impunity.