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

Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

What strikes me, is that while we're supposed to remember the lady begging for her life, and crying out how it's not right, and it's not fair... I think most of us are misinterpreting. She's not saying the whole thing is unfair, she's saying in effect that it's unfair that SHE got caught.
I think this is something of an allegory to the fact that we as humans are generally only opposed to an action if there's a chance we might be at the receiving end.

This is to say, that if she hadn't been the one to be picked- I think she would have been all for it.
And I think that the reason that we're so against murder as a society, is because WE might be the ones to get murdered. As a society (please don't reply and say OH NOT MEEEE! because I mean this as a society as a whole- take a look at our laws on the books if you disagree) we seem to be all FOR organized murder.

We are pro-death penalty in most states. This, to me, is sanctioned murder. It's how we choose to deal with someone who might otherwise be rehabilitated, in favor of running the risk of their repeating their crime.

And then there's abortion, which I won't go into because I feel this is an inappropriate venue and the point would be lost completely in the pro-choice vs pro-life furor.

Point is- the story was written to make us take a good hard look at ourselves. A question was posed (Hitchcock I think?) If you could win a million dollars, or 10 million, or 100 million, simply to push a button, knowing someone that you didn't know and would never find out about would die, would you do it?

All your financial problems gone, poof, in an instant.
Most people say no, but the underlying reason behind their declination is because they think they might someday be at the receiving end.

It's inference. Of course, this is never stated, and it's never stated that if you DON'T you'd be safe... it's simply assumed that if we remain free of this sin that we'll be kept "safe."

Is safety simply an illusion? Do we pay for this illusion with the shedding of others' blood?

People- men and women- have been put to death for killing in self-defense. Is society any safer for their extermination?

The story is an excellent springboard for a number of offshoot questions and discussions.

Karina Black//Ravenclaw

Re: Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[rocknrollpixie.livejournal.com]

'And I think that the reason that we're so against murder as a society, is because WE might be the ones to get murdered. As a society (please don't reply and say OH NOT MEEEE! because I mean this as a society as a whole- take a look at our laws on the books if you disagree) we seem to be all FOR organized murder.
'

I think you've got a point there. Whenever I hear of a murder on TV I always imagine what it woudl be like if that was someone I know, and that's what makes me feel outraged about it I suppose.

As for organised murder, it depends, we don't have any death penalty here in the UK so again, that's another thing that depends on your 'society.'

It's quite weird because we've been talking about 'our society' like we're all part of the same society, but we aren't really. Sure we're in developed countries in the western world, but I (think) in the US laws even vary in between states, so even in the same country what might be acceptable in one part isn't in another.

Pixie // Hufflepuff

Re: Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

Ohhh... yeah we have the death penalty all over in the U.S. It's not even a debated topic like abortion. It's just widely accepted that most people who kill should be put to death. I'm pro-death penalty, but it's so hard to determine true guilt!

Yeah laws vary from state to state. The U.S. is organized such that (in theory) each state was its own country and government unto itself, able to make its own laws, but subject to an overall law of the greater country. I think a different way is probably less confusing and more efficient but the country is SO BIG! And everyone disagrees with one another like a hobby.

Karina Black//Ravenclaw

Re: Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[rocknrollpixie.livejournal.com]

That all sounds very confusing if you ask me! I'm just glad that when I'm in London and I go and visit my boyfriend in Birmingham, that I have exactly the same chance fo being arrested in both places! :p

Pixie // Hufflepuff

Re: Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

*smirk*
It is very confusing. Especially regarding traffic laws and apparently murder *lol*
I'm in Oregon, I get calls from people that still think it's like the Old West out here :P
Well.. we have had more than our share of school shootings so maybe... *smirk*

karina // ravenclaw

Re: Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[indilwen.livejournal.com]

This is a very relevant question. I am all for the death penalty for the exact reasons you stated: I don't want to get murdered, and if a murderer is sitting on death row, even if they're not a serial killer, even if they're thousands of miles away, I'm going to feel safer because they're in there and not out here, wandering around with a filet knife or a semi-automatic. No one wants to be on the receiving end, because the odds are that no one will help you once you're there, because they don't want to be there either.

Sangrita, Slytherin.

Re: Is it only wrong because we might get caught?

[angelofstrange.livejournal.com]

Dude, I COMPLETELY agree. (I'm so in love with you Karina :p)

I live in a state to where now if there are 3 crediable witnesses that saw you murder someone, you don't sit on death row, you're taken in for the shot next week. Our Death Row is like an express lane :laughs:. Yes I stole from Ron White, get over it.

She was saying it was unfair because it WAS her. If anyone else had been picked, she'd be caressing that stone in her little hand. We all have that self preservation programed in to us. If it were me to die, I would most likely try and pull someone else down with me. Or I would say it wasn't fair. Though I wouldn't push the button.

Jen//Hufflepuff