Out of the two characters who has more control over their fate?

Question

Out of the stories "King of the Bingo Game" by Ralph Ellison and "The Lottery" by Sihirley Jackson. Pick a character from each story and describe which one has more control over their fate.

Answer 1

Chance plays a primary role in both "King of the Bingo Game" and "The Lottery". The Bingo King relies on hope in the form of a bingo prize wheel to bestow him the money he needs to save his Laura. Moreover, Tessie Hutchinson is the winner of the lottery that brings about a cruel result.

The Bingo King has more control over the events that occur within the story. He becomes enchanted when given the opportunity to decide his own destiny. He was unable to decide his own fate as a southern slave, and the idea of Laura's life in the palm of his hand becomes too much for him. The wheel is god and he is in control. Despite the heckling from the crowd he becomes empowered with the idea that once that wheel stops it will land on double zero. The King decides his fate in the sense that he could take his hand off the button, press the button, or given the button to the bingo announcer.

In contrast, Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" shows an entire town driven by a patriarchal society that continues to abide by an unspeakable tradition. Every villager must participate in this event. There is even a roll call prior to the lottery. Tessie becomes the winner of the lottery and is unable to escape an onslaught of villagers with rocks--even the children participate.

Explanation:

It is my viewpoint that Tessie is unable to avoid her fate. She does not have the ability to make choices for herself. She has no control of what will happen to her. Whereas, The Bingo King becomes enveloped in finally having the ability to create his own luck, to determine his own fate.