In Shirley Jackson's, "The Lottery," one theme is Man's ability (and need) to rationalise generally unacceptable actions. It's true in life how we have to rationalize everything or have a reason for everything, to make it acceptable in our eyes. In life we have to turn our heads the other direction when a convicted murder is set back on the streets after 25 years, it is unacceptable, but in today's society that is the law. In this story everyone went along with the tradition of "sacrificing" a community member. No one showed how they felt, but Tessie the one that was chosen. She didn't choose to be sacrificed, wouldn't it have been a true sacrifice if Tessie was actually willing to die for a good cause? Why does Man rationalize unacceptable actions? Are we truly that much of a follower to not stick up for unacceptable actions? What's it going to take to show people that in the end it's not the community that mattered in life, but the individual? Why do we turn the other cheek, instead of sticking up for what's right in our eyes?