Shirley Jackson Argument

No matter what the topic is, there will always be someone who disagrees with your perspective and view on certain subjects, but instead of trying to convince them otherwise, the only thing you can do is accept it. “We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.” Stated by Barbara Jordan. In the texts, “What, of This Goldfish Would You Wish for?” short story by Etgar Keret, “American Flag States for Tolerance” a newspaper editorial by Ronald J. Allen, and “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson also a short story, by Shirley Jackson. The texts can relate or contradict the quote about the idea of acceptance. It also discusses and identifies the differences, or similarities, in the people that are explored in
each story. To begin with, sometimes we don’t agree with other people, but that doesn't mean you can't try to persuade them to pick the option they believe to be rational.
In the document “Texas V. Johnson” that statement is demonstrated. “Texas v. Johnson” is a formal document of the court’s opinion on the burning the flag. On lines 37-39 it says, “The way to preserve the flag's special role is not to punish those who feel differently about these matters. It is to persuade them that they are wrong.” Even though the court had stated in lines 26-31 “We are tempted to say, in fact, that the flag's deservedly cherishes place in our community will be strengthened, not weakened,” The court did not punish Johnson for his actions of burning the flag because even if the court does not agree with him, they also believe “...nobody can suppose that this one gesture of an unknown man will change our Nation's attitude towards its flag…” (Lines 17- 19). In “Texas v. Johnson” the court may not agree with Johnson, but they do not punish him. Although he was being disrespectful, he did not break any laws. Additionally, in this document Brennan stated, “We decline, therefore, to create for the flag an exception to the joust of the principles protected by the first amendment.” (Page 15, Lines 1-2) Again, you should persuade them that they are wrong to burn the flag over compulsion, because our flag is founded on
tolerance. Furthermore, even if you try to convince someone to choose what you have a strong belief in, it doesn't mean that they're going to change their mind. The short story “The Lottery” is a great example of that. In this story, it discusses the annual drawing, and Tessie doesn't show acceptance throughout the story. After Tessie’s name was drawn for the lottery, she yells out on lines 229-230 “You didn't give him enough time to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!” Even though she was desperately wanted a redraw, the rest of the villagers tell her that they all took the same chance as her husband. As the story goes on, Bill's family, then has to draw out from the box once again and Tessie is chosen. When she is chosen, Tessie tries to convince the villagers that what they were doing was wrong and she screamed “It isn't fair, it isn't right,” (line 328). Her husband then had to intervene and shout, “Shut up, Tessie” He thought that the lottery was fair, but Tessie disagreed. The lottery was associated with good harvest for the new year. In the end the villagers felt very strongly about their choice and denied her. Tessie Hutchinson was sentenced to death by stoning. Additionally, everyone reflects on their past actions of how they have treated someone.
In the story “What of This Goldfish Would You Wish For?” discrimination was represented. Sergei doesn’t enjoy being around people, he is self-centered. On page 5, lines 55-56 it states, “Sergei Goralick doesn’t much like strangers banging on his door. Especially when those strangers are asking him questions” Sergei was discriminating against Yoni because he was an outsider and was upbeat. Sergei acted this way because, “In Russia, when Sergei was young, it happened plenty. The KGB felt right at home knocking at his door. His father had been a Zionist, which was pretty much an invitation for them to drop by any old time.” (Page 2, Lines 56-60) Sergei doesn’t feel comfortable seeing and meeting people. Most of the time he doesn’t answer the door, and he excludes himself from society and the outside world, which demonstrates discrimination. And based on the author’s view it opposes the quote and allowed the character Sergei to keep to
himself.
To sum it up, the texts can either agree or disagree with the quote; “We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.” Stated by Barbara Jordan. In the texts, both short stories, What, of This Goldfish Would You Wish for?, and The Lottery opposed and contradicted the quote. While the document Texas V. Johnson agreed and related to this quote throughout the text. We must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves as we find ourselves in an ever increasingly diverse world.