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Intellectual Freedom In The Lottery And Big Gene

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The short stories “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and the adapted version of “Big Gene” by William H. Cole both reveal the risks of expressing intellectual freedom. For one to have opinions and thoughts is to have intellectual freedom. In the event of two characters in particular however, stating their own right grants them issues. For Tessie Hutchinson of “The Lottery”, her point of view contributes to her grave fate. Big Gene faces discrimination from his wife and the rest of the black community as well as being further shunned by the white people he encounters. The major point, nevertheless, is the fact that the characters are constantly finding themselves in trouble due to their individual thoughts in conforming societies. Big Gene faces acts of discrimination and takes risks by merely voicing his own opinions. He faces problems and is the person of target to his own community when he, as a black man, befriends a white man of which is also a Klan member. The new friendship with Parker does not impress Gene's wife, Cloretta, as she states it is wrong in her eyes as well as their church's eyes. As she speaks to Gene late one night, "'It's disgraceful,' she said, her voice quivering. 'That's what everyone at church thinks.' Big Gene stayed quiet. …show more content…

Gene is alone in his thoughts as no one supports him, not even his wife. He is ridiculed, harshly judged and discriminated for both his race and his idea of freedom and equality in society during that time frame. Tessie Hutchinson has ideas that no one else in her community agree with and she is sent to her death sentence. In both cases, the main characters are criticized and at many risks for expressing their intellectual freedom; that comes to show that in these short story universes, revealing individual thoughts and actions can lead to unfortunate circumstances and disastrous

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