Introduction/thesis:
-Common concept of violence in gothic writing as shown in The Lottery and The Black Cat.
-While the actions taken by the townspeople to hurt each other in “The Lottery” are seen as a way to uphold a tradition, the actions taken by the man in “The Black Cat” cannot be justified in any way other than to hurt for the sole purpose of doing wrong to others.

Body #1:
-Violence in The Lottery from the town, as well as from Tessie.
-Spirit of perversity: people willingly stone another, relieved it was not them to uphold a tradition.
-The people may not fully agree with it, but they rather go along with it than go against it.
-Reasoning: it was a tradition

Body #2:
-Violence in The Black Cat from the man towards everyone/everything.
-Spirit of perversity: the actions the man takes towards his wife, the actions he takes towards his cat, for no reason whatsoever.
-Reasoning: none/ the man acts on impulse, without thinking about the outcome on anyone or anything.

Conclusion:
-Sum up thesis in both stories
-Sum up violence in gothic writing as shown in both stories
-Connection from the stories to today’s world.