Final answer:
Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" embodies the theme of 'response to change' through its depiction of a community's adherence to a brutal tradition and their resistance to question or alter their practices, which correlates with real world resistance to change within societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The connection between the events of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and the unit title, "response to change," is deeply rooted in the tradition and the community's unwillingness to deviate from it. This short story depicts a seemingly normal town's annual lottery, which ends with the shocking and brutal stoning of the "winner," revealing the community's resistance to question or alter long-standing practices.
Despite the random and horrifying outcome, the villagers are hesitant to challenge or change this ritual. The initial response to the story, characterized by intense confusion and outrage, mirrors this theme of how individuals and societies react defensively to change or to challenges against deeply entrenched norms and values. In the story, even the symbolic suggestion of change through replacing the old black box, or modifying the ritual, is met with trepidation and ultimately dismissed, highlighting a profound social commentary on how communities respond to, and often resist, change.
The story thus serves as a literary mirror to our own world, where change can be met with similar resistance and fear, even when the status quo is harmful. It is a powerful exploration of how tradition can hold a tight grip on society, stifling progress and perpetuating barbarism in the guise of communal harmony. By discussing these themes, Jackson invites readers to reflect on their own responses to change and to consider the potential consequences of unexamined traditions.