Theme in Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction
In both fiction and creative non-fiction, theme plays an essential role in shaping the reader's
understanding of the story. The theme often deals with universal ideas, like coming of age, moral
dilemmas, or identity, and provides a deeper understanding of human experience. For this
response, I will explore the overlapping theme of identity in two works: "The Lottery" by Shirley
Jackson and "Jesus Shaves" by David Sedaris. Both stories examine the concept of identity,
though they do so in very different ways due to the genre and tone of each work.
The Theme of Identity in "The Lottery"
Shirley Jackson’s "The Lottery" is a short story that critiques societal norms and the danger of
blindly following tradition. The central theme revolves around the collective identity of a small
town, where the townspeople accept a brutal ritual without question. Through the character of
Tessie Hutchinson, the story explores how personal identity can be overridden by societal
pressure. Tessie begins as an active participant in the lottery, but as soon as she becomes the
victim, her perspective shifts, and she recognizes the arbitrary nature of the ritual. Jackson uses
Tessie’s tragic fate to comment on how people can lose sight of their individuality and humanity
in favor of societal conformity.
The Theme of Identity in "Jesus Shaves"
David Sedaris’s "Jesus Shaves", a piece of creative non-fiction, approaches the theme of identity
from a personal and humorous perspective. The essay focuses on Sedaris’s experience as an
English teacher in France, where he tries to explain the concept of Easter to his French students.
The theme of identity in "Jesus Shaves" revolves around the challenges of maintaining one's
