Symbolism in The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown Research Paper

Symbolism in The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown - Research Paper Example Moreover, since this otherwise gruesome celebration is held every year, then it must be something which the people have already considered a part of their lives. As Mr. Martin and his son Baxter â€Å"held the black box securely on the stool,† one can see how much they value this evil tradition as they securely guard it. Furthermore, the fact that both father and son, and parents and their children draw lots from the black box speaks of how much they want to pass this evil tradition on to future generations (Jackson). Every evil man’s legacy is therefore the evil that he willingly and proudly passes on to his children and descendants. The second symbol of evil is â€Å"the smoothest and roundest stones† that the people and children have chosen (Jackson). The stones which the children have begun choosing at the beginning of the day of the celebration represent the unjust hurt and punishment that innocent people experience and suffer from because of the senseless and brutal tradition that people pass on to their children. In fact, the idea that everyone in the village in Jackson’s story participates in stoning someone to death is a proof that evil exists in all people without any exception. This illustrates the brutality of the society in which human beings live. Moreover, the old people are the ones to blame for the perpetuation of all evil. Old Man Warner, as the oldest in town, is believed to have cast the first stone because he believes that the villagers trust him for his age and wisdom. Old Man Warner represents all aging and aged people on earth who are consumed by evil and who believe that the youth must be just as evil as they are. They are actually the same people who do not think that this world will ever rise from the quagmire of evil that is slowly swallowing it. Another symbol is Mr. Adams, who figuratively stands as the representative of