The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson And An Adaptation Of ``...

â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson and an adaptation of â€Å"The Metamorphosis† by Peter Kuper are valuable short stories that are worth a close evaluation of. A comparison and contrast of the theme alienation in both stories would lead to a more thorough understanding of the messages behind the texts. The purpose of this essay is to answer the question on â€Å"what insights do we gain into the course theme of alienation when we read both â€Å"The Lottery† and â€Å"The Metamorphosis† side by side?† Gregor Samsa in â€Å"The Metamorphosis† by Peter Kuper and the townspeople in â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson are similar in that they both reveal a passive approach to alienation that ultimately leads to the growing of alienation; the alienation is different for Gregor and the townspeople in terms of how active they participate within their community determine their likelihood of being marginalized. Gregor’s minimal exp ression of his feelings towards his family alienates and marginalizes Gregor from his family. The townspeople’s active participation in the lottery, however, contributes to the severity of alienation within the town. These two stories attempt to tell us that alienation and the failure to take initiative to resist oppression are interconnected. This essay will compare Gregor Samsa and the townspeople’s passivity and also explore how taking on an active and inactive role in their story’s context would foster different types of alienation. In â€Å"The Metamorphosis† by Peter Kuper, Gregor