The Resistance to Change

The Resistance to Change Against better judgment, moral correctness, or just plain logic, it is in human nature to resist change. Throughout history it has been shown that there will always be a great deal of resistance to change, even if that change may be positive. Sometimes to resist is not voluntarily chosen, and varying levels of resistance can depend on the subject. There are times in everybody’s lives where they resist due to personal reasoning; the way they were raised, culture, and tradition. They follow the cultural “norm” without realizing their decisions or actions. Change can be seen as positive or negative, but those who are set in their own ways can tend to resist change even when it is needed most. In the two short stories “The Possibility of Evil” and “The Lottery”, both written by Shirley Jackson, there are strong rationalizations as to why change should take place. Though they are set in very dissimilar situations, both show how social norms, or norms perceived by a person can impede positive progress. Even in modern times, there are many positive changes possible, but these changes are held back due to the culture and tradition of some people. Resisting change can be thought of as doing the right thing, when in reality it may not be. There are those who are blinded by the logic they grew up on and are set in stone, and those are the ones who cannot tell the difference between the appearance of a situation vs its reality. Not everything is as it seems. There are times where the logic behind these traditions can lead to reckless and disturbed behavior without people taking notice of it. It may take a great shock or event for people to register that their actions or the actions of those around them are in some way inaccurate and require change. The likeness and difference between the two stories regarding resistance to change will be compared and contrasted through symbolism, irony, and conflict. It is by human nature to resist change, even if