Answer:
In Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery," there are several traces of rituals that echo the concept of a scapegoat from the Old Testament, although the details differ. In "The Lottery," a member of the community is randomly selected to be stoned to death as part of an annual ritual. Here are some elements that suggest a connection to the scapegoat ritual:
Random Selection: Just as the scapegoat was chosen without regard for its personal guilt or innocence, the "lottery" in the story involves a purely random selection of a person from the community. It is not based on individual behavior or wrongdoing.
Transfer of Blame: In both cases, there is a sense of transferring blame or responsibility from the community onto a single individual or entity. The selected person in "The Lottery" becomes the target of the community's collective violence, similar to how the scapegoat in the Old Testament ritual symbolically carried away the sins of the people.
Purification and Renewal: The Old Testament scapegoat ritual was believed to purify the community. In "The Lottery," there is a sense that the annual ritual serves as a form of purification and renewal for the town, although the true purpose and effectiveness of this process are left ambiguous.
Regarding other kinds of rituals that are retained today even though their original purpose may be remote or nonexistent, there are several examples:
Wedding Traditions: Many wedding traditions have evolved over time and may have had practical or symbolic significance in the past that is less relevant today. For example, the tradition of carrying the bride over the threshold of a new home was originally meant to protect her from evil spirits.
Holiday Customs: Some holiday customs and rituals have lost their original meaning but continue to be practiced. For instance, the exchange of gifts during Christmas may have historical roots, but for many people, it has become a secular tradition focused on generosity and togetherness.
Superstitions: Superstitions and rituals, such as tossing a coin into a fountain for good luck or avoiding walking under ladders, often lack a rational basis but are still observed by some people.
Initiation Rites: Some organizations and clubs have initiation rites that were once designed to mark the transition of members into the group but may now seem outdated or excessive.
These examples illustrate how rituals can persist in human culture, even when their original purposes have faded or become less relevant. Rituals often carry cultural, social, or emotional significance that transcends their original functions.
Step-by-step explanation: