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

It is very hard to believe that common people could place any harm on others however, “The Lottery” and “The Perils of Indifference” are two pieces of literature in which horrifying violence and immoral behaviour is revealed by “ordinary” citizens. There are direct examples in both pieces of how regular citizens can demonstrate acts of such outrageous behaviour towards others without even considering the consciousnesses.

The short story “The Lottery” is about a small town that holds a local lottery once a year. Average citizens take part in this so-called lottery however; this is not a typical event. The author describes the town as being “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green” this scene makes the reader feel as if everything is sane and peaceful in the town yet this is not the case at all. The lottery that takes place is for a brutal act of violence on an “ordinary” citizen that by chance has to suffer a death by immoral behaviour from her fellow neighbours.

In “The Perils of Indifference” this same concept of inhumane behaviour by “ordinary” people is demonstrated but to a much larger scale. Elie Wiesel was faced by injustices and horrors as a child. His entire family was tortured and killed by the Nazis leaving him abandoned; this unimaginable behaviour was done none other than “ordinary” human beings that were brainwashed by the powers of Hitler. Theses normal people killed millions of Jews out of fear and the outrageous authority of one man however, everyday citizens watched and took no action, and they took no stand and made no effort to fight for theses innocent people. The blame could be put on all ranges of individuals; unfortunately, the people we most trust took to long to stop the heart-wrenching cries of so many innocent lives.

“The Lottery” and “The Perils of Indifference” both demonstrate how “ordinary” citizens can turn out to be the unexpected and cause pain and suffering to people that are no better or less than there own selves. Would you demonstrate inhumane acts if others were or would you stand and watch? Is causing pain or watching pain being caused any different or are they equal?