According to Old Man Warner, why is the lottery held?

Answer 1

Hi Yasir! In the short story "The Lottery" by author Shirley Jackson, Old Man Warner holds onto the belief that the lottery is what keeps society together; he believes that getting rid of the lottery is akin to shunning civilized society. Old Man Warner also believes the superstition that the lottery is what keeps the village crops flourishing, and that if the lottery is not held, the town will be forced into a year of famine and struggle. He represents the old ways of holding to tradition, even irrationally, to keep the status quo, as well as the fear of the unknown. Hope that answers your question!