Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" concerns itself with the concept that it can be acceptable to require the individual to sacrifice for the greater good. In the short story, the villagers treat the lottery as if it is a normal event in their society. They all seem ready to give up their lives and no one seems reluctant to participate in the lottery. In our society, people are forced to do some things that are meant to help to America run more smoothly. For example, everyone has taxes that they required to pay the government. The government then goes on to spend this money on programs and events that will ultimately help America as a whole.