RESTRICTED SECTION: SHORT STORY DISCUSSION

[angeleyesjg24.livejournal.com]

JOIN THE CLUB!!
(hey mods, would you mind putting a link up to the application on the userinfo page?)

"THE LOTTERY" SHORT STORY DISCUSSION
(the book discussion is above this discussion)


It's time for the two readings discussions!


Rules, Regulations, and Points:

This discussion will run much like the debates held in the main community. To earn points, be sure to heed the following:
-The comment is at least five sentences long.
-The comment stays on topic. No personal attacks or arguments will be tolerated.
-The comment is signed. If you accidentally forget to sign it, please delete the comment and repost it with your name and house in it. No name/house= no points.
-Remember to comment with your subject in the subject line. Like "Christine/Phantom," for example. That way, people can more readly track discussions.

Points will be awarded as follows:
-10 points for your first comment (this will only be awarded once. Not twice, once for each discussion)
-50 points to the top commenter, one in the novel and and one in the short story discussion.
-40 points for second, one for novel and one for short story discussion
-30 points for third, one for novel and one for short story discussion.



Discussions will end Friday, March 24th. This will give you all two full weeks for discussion. Don't hesitate to ask me any questions!

Anna M // Restricted Section Mod

Comments

Re: the ritual

[acidroses.livejournal.com]

Beyond the individual, I think it's also about the people's (as a group) stubborn refusal to see the possibility of change. People cling so much to what they know. Even in real life. It's so difficult to change a ritual like this, especially in a large group of people. Some people are just afraid of new things, the unknown.

acidroses//Ravenclaw

Re: the ritual

[kellerton.livejournal.com]

I don't know why, but when I read this story I thought of slavery. This could be completely wrong, because my knowledge of history is about a grade 9 education (sorry I'm fourteen :P). People would treat others badly. Why did they treat others badly, because "respectable" people told them it was right. They believe in that person, so they believe what they say. No one wants to stand up to that person, because they think they are "less respectable" and no one will follow them.

kellerton//ravenclaw

Re: the ritual

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

That's a really accurate interpretation!!!
By choosing to follow rank, they are adhering to the same ascribed moral principles of the group- even if they're undefined.
Good thinkin' :)

Karina Black//Ravenclaw

Re: the ritual

[sleep-x-dream.livejournal.com]

There are several different arguments in regards to why no one individual will take a stand against the lottery. The number one reason being the fear of the communities reaction to their proclimation. Another factor which comes into play is the bystander effect (a psychological phenomenon where persons are less likely to intervene in an emergency situation when others are present than when they are alone).


Trent | Slytherin

Re: the ritual

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

I'm more apt to believe the latter. No one seemed particularly passionate about the Lottery in the story. Not to the degree that someone speaking out against it would really have a negative effect.

I think it's more a matter of bystander effect (I had to study this in Psych where we dropped something in a crowd to see if anyone would pick it up, usually no one would even stop to help.)

No one gives a crap. They know the only reason she's objecting is because she feels it wasn't picked "fairly."
She starts screeching and becomes an annoying bitch so they finally stone her just to shut her up.
*smirk*

Karina Black//Slyth...errr... Ravenclaw.

Re: the ritual

[rocknrollpixie.livejournal.com]

Aaah yes, we did that too. We also did that study about a woman who lived in an appartment block and got brutally murdered. The next day all her neighbours when they were interviewed heard her screaming for help, but no one did anything because they didn't want to get in volved and because they thought someone else would do it.

I suppose that's what's going on here to an extent. People think someone else will go to the woman's aid and stop the murder, but by the time no one does, it's too late.

Pixie // Hufflepuff

Re: the ritual

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

The study is horrifying, but I have to wonder about the control factors involved. I live in a neighborhood with kids and melodrama left and right. Just the other weekend we had the neighbor across the street drunk/high/frying AGAIN screaming at her male AGAIN and telling him to leave AGAIN. We've gotten so accustomed to her screaming, no one would think anything of it if it really were an emergency sometime. (Crying wolf?)

I wonder about the neighbors... not to excuse them, but I wonder if they were really neglectful, or simply jaded.

Karina Black//Ravenclaw

Re: the ritual

[rocknrollpixie.livejournal.com]

I used to live in neighbourhood like that too. And now everytime I hear kids or teenagers playing or something and they're screaming, I always secretly wonder if they're really in trouble.

Damn, studying that bystander apathy stuff has screwed me up!

Pixie // Hufflepuff

Re: the ritual

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

I'm pro-population control and slightly sadistic. I kinda usually feel the opposite way *grin*
Karina Black//Ravenclaw

Re: the ritual

[rocknrollpixie.livejournal.com]

Hehe I have those days, trust me I do! But I also have a real soft spot for kiddies. I can't stand the idea of kiddies being harmed it makes me angry.

Pixie // Hufflepuff

Re: the ritual

[angelofstrange.livejournal.com]

I agree that I think they were scared about how people would percieve them if they did say that there shouldn't be a lottery because when it's mentioned that some other town is thinking of stopping it, they mention that they'd be almost heathen like if they did. I think they would be almost banished for even thinking it. But I think that a lot of people still think that there is a good reason for it and that is why they don't try and protect the person who is up for death. They worry that if someone doesn't die the entire community will suffer. Thought they'd rather it not be them, they won't stop it from happening.

Jen//Hufflepuff