The Lottery and Other Stories

Question 3

The word ritual is used for times to describe the lottery. why might viewing the lottery as a ritual inhibit the villagers possible objections to it?

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It is ironic that the Lottery once had elaborate rituals to it. The black box was ornate; there were special clothes, and songs. Now, the only ritual that remains is the picking of the victim and subsequent killing. Viewing the lottery as a ritual seems excuse the violence that the villagers eventually inflict on an innocent person. They feel the lottery is merely a matter of process and tradition rather than a senseless act of violence.