There are countless ideas to write about for stories. Authors can choose to write about the same general idea or many throughout their career. These ideas can be imaginary, realistic, or a combination of both. Combining a realistic issue or idea with a fictional story can be used to highlight a controversial issue in society. This can bring out an idea of ​​the situation by making you think about it. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin portray this fictional vision of society's problems; if it has happened, is happening or could happen. Some elements can be used to demonstrate this, one of which is symbolism. Specific elements can be analyzed to reveal comparisons or contrasts. The authors' backgrounds can provide important information about their stories. Jackson was born in 1916, during a time when society was sexist towards women. The setting of a story raises an expectation as it is read. Both of these stories portray a seemingly perfect place, but with a fundamental flaw. At the beginning of Jackson's "The Lottery," he begins by describing a beautiful day, "the morning of June 27 was clear and sunny, with the cool warmth of a summer day" (Jackson 237). The beautiful day starts the reader off on a happy note, unaware of what is to come. The lottery is seen as a happy time, a chance to win money or something else of value. This is not a traditional lottery. Amy Griffin states in her article “Jackson's The Lottery” that “the lottery was a severe experience” (Griffin 45). In a seemingly peaceful city, the lottery occurs once a year to decide who will die as a sacrifice. Death will maintain the seemingly perfect state of the city. The setting… in the center of the paper… Who Walk Away from Omelas”.” Short stories for students. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Literature Resource Center. Network. February 20, 2012. “Jackson, Shirley, 1919-1965.” Literature Biography online. ProQuest: LLC, 2008. Literature Online. Network. March 14. 2012.Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery”. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 3rd ed. Ed. XJ Kennedy and Dana Gioia. New York: Longmann. 2010. 237-244. Print.Le Guin, Ursula K. "Those who turn away from Omelas." Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 3rd ed. Ed. XJ Kennedy and Dana Gioia. New York: Longmann. 2010. 230-236. Print.Webster's New World Dictionary with Student Manual. The Southwestern Company.1981. 665. Print.Yarmove, Jay A. “Jackson’s The Lottery.” Explainer. 52:4(1994): 252-5. Online literature. February 20. 2012.