Thiago De Souza
Liberty University
Abstract
In this essay, “The Rocking Horse Winner” and “The Lottery” are compared and contrasted. Their different themes and different characters have some similarities. The things the characters do and want ultimately brings them to their very own downfall. Throughout this essay, I talk about how these characters are just like every ordinary person and how our society is well represented by the different themes in each of these stories. One character is cruel and self-centered and all of that leads to her own death while the other is “unlucky” and her greed and want for wealth leads to her very own son’s death.
Outline
I. Introduction A. What does greed, cruelty, materialism, anxiety, wealth, social segregation, racial prejudice have in common? B. Thesis—The themes and character of “The Rocking Horse Winner” and “The Lottery” are what will be compared and contrasted.
II. The themes in these two stories are quite different when you pick them apart. A. “The Rocking Horse Winner” is all about different types of irony and its theme is materialism. B. Verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony are all wrapped up into Paul’s character and Paul’s mother. Paul’s mom is said to be unlucky, but in the true sense of the word, she is really lucky. Paul dies trying to fulfill his mothers craving for wealth. Paul is lucky in his mother’s false definition of the word luck.
III. In “The Lottery”, the theme had a lot to do with social segregation, racial prejudice, hazing, and a lot of other different social issues. A. Both stories are similar because they face issues everyone faces in their lives and both themes reflect on things that will get one nowhere in life and will bring any sort of greater good for anybody. B. The women played some of the
References: Jackson, S., Kennedy, X. J. (1948). Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing. Lawrence, D. H., Kennedy X. J. (1933). Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing.