“The Rocking-Horse Winner”, “The Lottery”, and “The Shining Houses” Essay Example

did. Unfortunately, her want for more money drove her son to insanity, which eventually lead to the destruction of his somewhat happy childhood, and his life.

The uncle concludes the story by saying: "But, poor devil, poor devil, he's best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner" (Lawrence 34). In other words, he was already a winner, but no one saw that, the mother was blinded because of her greater desire for wealth. When people are used to something and have done it for so long, they are very reluctant to change. "The Lottery" is a perfect example of this. The word 'lottery' in this story is very ironic; it normally represents a positive aspect, but in this case, whoever wins the lottery, dies.

It goes to show that there is definitely something wrong with the community. The people have been involved with this so-called lottery for years, "Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them... There's always been a lottery" (Jackson 5), and believe that without it, they would have an unsuccessful harvest season. They are so against change, and while most of the people of the town know that what they are doing is wrong, no one will change it, because it has been tradition for so long. Consequently, Tessie dies at the end because of people's fear of change.

The third and final story, "The Shining Houses", deals with people who are so adamant that they must live a certain way, the same way as everyone else, and are in opposition to anyone who decides differently. Mrs. Fullerton is an uncomplicated old woman. Her husbands' absence

of twelve years had left her in an old barn-type house with the anticipation of him returning one day; that is all she had to hold on to. All of the members of the community have something against her: they all want her house to come down, because it doesn't look 'right' among the rest of the newer houses - the ones that all look the same.

They have no sympathy towards the old woman, and the fact that she does not want change. All they care about is the way their community is aesthetically presented. One woman plainly states her case, and the point that all the community thinks about is how it looks to others: "It's unfortunate. We all know that. But we have to think of the community" (Munro 72). They are plainly aware that what they want is wrong, but because they want what's best for the so-called community, they are willing to sacrifice the happiness and well-being of Mrs.

Fullerton. For some people, being well-known, having money, and being recognized is more important that some of life's requirements, such as love. People are willing to sacrifice what good they have in their lives, in order to appear more appealing to others. What others think of them is their top priority. It is unfortunate that in most cases, this way of thinking has the ability to ruin a person. Why be like everyone else, when they could be their own person?