A Comparative Study of "The Devil's Stones" by Monirou Ravanipour and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

 

Introduction

In the realm of literature, narratives deeply embedded with themes of tradition, superstition, and the complexities of human nature often captivate readers across generations. Two such timeless works, "The Devil's Stones" by Munirou Ravanipour and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, stand out as compelling pieces that explore the darker aspects of society and the human psyche. This comparative study delves into the eerie similarities and intriguing differences between these two gripping tales, shedding light on how they both unravel chilling truths about the societies they depict. This study embarks on a journey through these haunting narratives to uncover the nuances that make them captivating pieces of literary art.
 

Methodology

The following Comparative Study of "The Devil's Stones" by Munirou Ravanipour and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson employ a structured methodology to effectively analyze and draw parallels between the two narratives. First it conducts a comprehensive literature review on both "The Devil's Stones" and "The Lottery" and analyzez critical essays, scholarly articles, and other relevant sources that discuss the themes, characters, symbolism, and narrative techniques employed by Ravanipour and Jackson in their respective works. Secondly the article performs a close textual analysis of both works to identify key literary elements such as plot structure, character development, setting, and symbolism paying special attention to how the authors use these elements to convey their thematic concerns and engage with their audiences.thirdly it develops a comparative framework based on Rene Wellek’s theory of comparative literature that outlines the specific aspects it intended to compare and contrast between "The Devil's Stones" and "The Lottery" including thematic similarities and differences, stylistic techniques, socio-cultural contexts, and narrative strategies employed by the authors. Then it explored the central themes present in both narratives and examined how Ravanipour and Jackson address common themes such as tradition, community dynamics, human nature, violence, and fate as well as comparing and contrasting the characters portrayed in "The Devil's Stones" and "The Lottery." Going through their motivations, relationships, and the ways in which they contribute to the overall narrative structure and thematic development of each story.
 

Discussion

In the discussion section, similar themes are deliberated in "Devil's Stones" and "The Lottery." One of these shared themes is the anti-superstition stance taken by Moniro Roufinopour and Shirley Jackson. In the narrative of "Devil's Stones," superstition holds sway over the community. Moniro Ravanipour  endeavors to depict the younger generation challenging and eclipsing the antiquated beliefs of the elder generation with their illuminating perspectives and broader horizons.
The storyline unfolds with Maryam, a first-year medical student, returning to her village for the semester break. The villagers cast doubt on her innocence, leading the elderly nanny and the villagers to investigate her purity. The narrative's crux lies in the confrontation between the elderly nanny and Maryam. In "Devil's Stones," Maryam, true to her name, strives to defy entrenched superstitious customs and traditions of the past:
She strolled through various alleys, where open doors adorned with deer horns and mountain goats acted as protective symbols against misfortune and disaster. Fast forward eight years, he would become a doctor and return to the village. Perhaps by then, he would witness these symbols being taken down one by one, showcasing patience as a virtue. Feeling disheartened by the sight of these adorned doors, she contemplated opening a space and seeking assistance from the young women in the village. She couldn't shake the memory of witnessing the nanny's actions towards a neighbor's woman some years prior. During a time when the neighbor was suffering from a stomach ailment, the nanny attempted an unorthodox remedy by waving fire and a pipe in the air, causing the woman to writhe in pain. Urged by agony, the woman pleaded for more salt to be thrown into the fire, but to her horror, the nanny forcefully pressed a scalding hand onto the woman's thigh, resulting in a piercing scream (Ravanipour 1990: 14).
In her compelling short story "The Lottery," Shirley Jackson denounces the harmful traditions entrenched in society and casts a critical eye on the unquestioning adherence to these customs. The narrative revolves around a small American village's annual ritual known as the Lottery, where a resident is arbitrarily chosen and subjected to being stoned as a means to purportedly bring about prosperity and safeguard the town from misfortune. Nebeker asserts that Shirley Jackson exposes the innate cruelty that lurks beneath the veneer of civilization, a theme camouflaged within the story's fabric (Nebeker, 1974: 100). Nebaker recognizes the narrative's influential impact and contends that the psychological jolt stemming from a ritualistic homicide within the mundane setting of a close-knit community lingers long in memory. Within this tale, ostensibly in the name of village welfare, the inhabitants partake in a ceremony called the lottery, honoring the ancestral tradition of selecting an individual for stoning. Shirley Jackson deftly employs various artifacts such as the enigmatic black box, stones, and character names to elucidate deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretations. These symbolic elements are intricately intertwined to depict a stark portrayal of a community mindlessly adhering to archaic and superstitious practices. Through these evocative symbols, Jackson guides the reader towards a sobering realization of the profound dangers and tragedies that unfold when individuals mindlessly conform to tradition without questioning or understanding the rationale behind their actions.
 
 
4.Conclusion
"Devil's Stones" and "The Lottery" were compared by René Wellek. Through this comparison, it was discovered that these two narratives share similarities in terms of literature and intertextuality, encompassing the equilibrium and parity of characters, colors, symbols, and themes.In the Devil's Stones, the elderly nanny mirrors balance and parity with the aged Warner. Warner, whose name implies caution, emulates the role of the nanny. Both characters caution against perpetuating superstitions. They serve as the custodians of the village, advocating for the adherence to misguided customs. The color black recurrently emerges in both narratives as a symbol of malevolence, obscurity, and gloom. Additionally, a prominent motif in both stories is the stone, symbolizing obstinacy and resistance to enlightenment and progress.The youth in both stories challenge erroneous traditions, striving for the dismantling and abolition of such superstitions, indicating a generational conflict present in both narratives. Utilizing the village backdrop, both stories highlight the myopia and stagnation prevalent among the populace, as they combat superstition. Tragically, both tales culminate in a somber and desolate conclusion: Tessy and Maryam meet their demise beneath the stones. The authors depict Tessy and Maryam as victims of callousness, cruelty, and the darkness that prevails in individuals who transition from obedience to righteousness to succumbing to their own self-interests. These unfeeling individuals, ensnared by superstition, have forsaken reason and justice. By juxtaposing these two stories, it becomes apparent that "The Devil's Stones" and "The Lottery" merit recognition in the realm of global literature. The authors address universal concerns, decry oppression, and employ their pens in defense of the downtrodden. The anti-superstition stance, a universal theme in this analysis, unites these two writers and brings them together, as both Muniro Ravanipour  and Shirley Jackson prioritize serving humanity, striving to liberate it from the clutches of superstition. Ravanipour  and Jackson critique those who view religion merely through its rituals and external facades, neglecting ethics. Despite the resemblances in content and narrative style, accounting for Shirley Jackson's chronological precedence, it can be posited that Muniro Raufanipour was somewhat influenced by Shirley Jackson as a distinctive storyteller and influential figure in the field of storytelling.