Writing Analysis = 22 points
In Suzanne Collin’s, The Hunger Games, and Shirley Jackson’s, The Lottery, both
demonstrate the power of tradition and the effects they have on individuals no matter how bizarre
or illogical. Both depict the incredible power of tradition. (4 points)
List traditions you hold dear Why are they valued?
List traditions you believe to have negative implication or allegations What makes them negative?
Explain why the randomness of persecution against a victim is wrong in each: (4 points)
The Hunger Games …
The Lottery …
Which persecution example do you believe more horrific? Why? (2 points)
Both stories portray that an individual cannot change the way of a tradition if it is
celebrated by most people in society. What was the danger and result of blindly following
tradition from your reading? Explain. (2 points)
Family bonds are a significant part of both stories; compare one relationship from each
story. Does the example improve or deteriorate family bonds? How? (4 points)
One relationship from The Lottery …
One relationship from The Hunger Games …
In your opinion, why does victim sacrifice play such a large role in literature or movies
today? (2 points)
Present-day parallels are easy to draw, because all prejudices, whether they are based on
race, sex, appearance, religion, economic class, geographical region, family background, or
sexual orientation, are essentially random. Those who are persecuted become “marked” because
of a trait or characteristic that is out of their control—for example, they are from the “wrong” part
of the town, or the “wrong” ethnic or societal background. Just as the people in villages and
districts from our study killed because that was what they were expected to do; people in real life
often persecute others without questioning why. Remember the Holocaust – and the society that
persecuted innocent people for absurd reasons.
We believe such horrific forms of government and tradition could never happen here in the
U.S., but every society is susceptible of placing citizens in danger of reverting to wicked forms of
behavior and social organization. In your opinion, brainstorm a few examples from modern
society (1900s-2000s) of wickedness or corruption that could have been or be averted. (2 Points)
How can one (you) promote change? (2 points)