"The Perils of Indifference" and "The Lottery"

1)    "A Dangerous Absence of Emotion" - Elie Wiesel's original title implies the worst action humanity can take is inaction. Elie's explanation of the reasoning behind this inaction is indifference or, an absence of emotion. Indifference is "a strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil." (pg. 443) Wiesel proves this by providing examples like The Final Solution, and the St. Louis tragedy. One can further justify Wiesel's argument by using examples such as the Rwandan Genocide, and discrimination against the First Nations of Canada and African-Americans in the United States. In conclusion, one can agree that the worst response, is no response at all.

2)    The conclusion to Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" is shocking in many ways. It's gruesome ideals horrifies the reader and immediately turns them against the reasoning of the book. Yet, time and again research has proven that when put under pressure a human being will always conform to the group. This idea is also shared in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies". In Golding's novel a group of typical and rational young school boys crash on an abandoned Island. As the story progresses the group of boys steady conform to the irrational leadership of a savagely violent child named Jack. The disturbing novel affirms the conclusion of "The Lottery" and furthermore sets the reader upon opposing the discomforting logic.

3)    Elie Wiesel's speech relates to Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" in two specific ways. Firstly, the most prominent connection is between Wiesel's adamant statement on indifference, and the emotions of the townspeople as the follow through with their gruesome and ironically named "Lottery". One could argue against this connection by saying that "they're talking of giving up the Lottery'' (pg. 231) but the weakness to this argument is in the actions of the people. The mood of the entire crowd personifies not only indifference - as if the lottery is a bothersome ordeal that will be over soon - but also conformity.
       This leads to the second connection. In Wiesel's speech there is an underlying message that warns about the dangers of conformity. She points out countless examples of conformity such as the Final Solution when the world stood by and did nothing. Not only indifferent, but unified in a sheepish inability to act. Likewise, the townsmen are equally horrifying in their unity. The best example of this is found in the repulsive conclusion when the crowd stones Mrs. Hutchinson to death. In conclusion, one can agree that Elie Wiesel's "The Perils of Indifference", and Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery'' are directly relatable in the issue's of human indifference and conformity.

A Daring Rescue

      I walked in the door and immediately knew something was wrong. It seemed quiet, too quiet. I pulled out my weapon, the holster silently clanging against my leg. Taking a few steps forward I saw the first assailant. Sending two fists flying faster than a speeding bullet, I engaged and disposed of the adversary. The first punch dislocating his jaw, and the second finishing him for good. Moving stealthily through the building, I searched for the second man. The police had warned me that he would have a hostage with him. Sighting the pair, I crept to well positioned vantage point. Her beauty hit me like a one ton brick. Time stood still, and she took my breath away. She was the cats meow. The apple of my eye. Slipping into the shadows, I stalked closer. Pouncing like a tiger I viciously attacked the man. A violent odor surrounded him like a plague and I gaged back vomit. He threw a punch, his fist catching my shoulder and causing me to bite the dust. I jumped up and danced away from him. My shoulder ached furiously. His fist had felt like a freight train. Charging towards him I punched his lights out for good. The woman swayed unsteadily on her feet, and promptly fainted into my arms. I marched proudly out of the building, and recieved a hearty applause from the surrounding police. "Well done, Sir" the captain said.
      "That was easy as pie" I said. I handed the woman off into the ambulance and slid my card into her pocket. Getting into the my waiting escort car, I gave one last wave, and drove away.