FREE ESSAY ON FORGOTTEN

FORGOTTEN

Forgotten
The true meaning of most traditional rituals, that I am familiar with, are forgotten and
replaced with something distorted. In fact, in the story, "The Lottery" by Shirley
Jackson, the true meaning of the lottery's ritual is forgotten. But on the other hand,
violence still remains a very remembered role in this gruesome lottery. The true meaning
of the lottery's ritual is forgotten as is with the sport of boxing and Christmas. 
First, boxing matches are an example of a ritual that has forgotten its true meaning, but
retained the violence. Boxing should, at least, be reconsidered or modified. Even though
murder is not allowed in modern boxing, from my perspective violence is hard to see as
just a sport. Boxing is a ritual with close violent similarities to Shirley Jackson's,
The Lottery.
Second, exchanging gifts on Christmas is a ritual that has definitely lost all of its
original meaning. My understanding of the meaning of Christmas is to exchange gifts to
celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For as long as I can remember, Christmas morning has
had nothing to do with celebrating Christ's birthday and everything to do with receiving
new toys. For most of us, Christmas is another example of a ritual that has forgotten its
original meaning. 
Therefore, this story is an awakening to the forgotten meanings of rituals: the truth.
Boxing and Christmas have most definitely lost their originality. Why must one remember
the original characteristics of a ritual? The most important answer, for this question,
is to preserve the true meaning of the ritual that has been forgotten.