Synthesis: "The Lottery" & "The Perils of Indifference"

In both "The Lottery" and "The Perils of Indifference" there are examples of injustice and inhumane acts of violence that occur and are demonstrated by the most normal people. Society has a huge influence on the world around them and can create simple or massive acts of violence. "The Lottery" starts off with a description of the town and the people making it similar to any of our own lifestyles. "The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green." The Lottery commences and the plot thickens. The author keeps the readers guessing about what the Lottery could possibly be. It ends up that Mrs. Hutchison (the mother of a perfectly normal family), will be stoned to her death. It is bizarre to even think that this would happen but it is a perfect example of how these "ordinary" people like you and I, commit an act of injustice. Even Mrs. Hutchison's own family throw stones at her. "The Perils of Indifference" also displays inhumane violence but on a much bigger scale like with the Holocaust. Elie Wiesel and his family had to experience the torture and brutality of the Nazis and Elie has to continue to live with the painful memories and scars since he was the only survivor in his family. The most astonishing thing is the fact that "ordinary" people just turned their backs on this horrific event. The United States were very obscene and made a shameful decision because "maybe a boat of 1000 Jews was turned back to Nazi Germany." Again, the U.S. citizens are just as ordinary as any other countries but people turn away in fear because it's not happening to them. In my perspective society can easily get sucked in by the influence of others. Indifference will continue to happen if we continue to let it.

-megs