The Lottery

The Lottery

Year: 2010

Runtime: 81 min

Language: English

Director: Madeleine Sackler

DramaDocumentaryNews

In a nation grappling with low literacy rates among African American fourth graders, this film explores the struggles faced by families striving for a better future. Set in Harlem and the Bronx, it follows four families who risk everything by entering a charter school lottery. The highly competitive process offers a chance for a select few children to escape the cycle of underachievement and access a higher quality education, sparking hope and highlighting the challenges within the public school system.

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Timeline & Setting – The Lottery (2010)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Lottery (2010). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Modern day

Set in modern times, the film reflects contemporary societal issues through the lens of an age-old tradition. During an era where many communities are questioning the validity of outdated practices, this village remains entrenched in its customs, showcasing the conflict between tradition and progress. The lottery symbolizes the darker aspects of human nature and the power of conformity.

Location

Unnamed village, small-town America

The movie takes place in a quaint, unnamed village in small-town America with a tight-knit community of about 300 residents. Known for its annual lottery event, the village is steeped in tradition, despite the growing unease about the ritual. The serene environment contrasts starkly with the dark undertones of the lottery, highlighting the tension between community cohesion and individual morality.

🏡 Village 🇺🇸 America

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:50

Main Characters – The Lottery (2010)

Meet the key characters of The Lottery (2010), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bill Hutchinson

Bill Hutchinson is a pivotal character who unknowingly becomes the harbinger of tragedy for his family. Though initially relieved to be selected as the family representative, his fate changes dramatically when his family draws the marked slip. The torment and conflict he experiences illuminate the pressures of community expectations and the terrifying consequences of tradition.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family man 😔 Tragic

Tessie Hutchinson

Tessie Hutchinson serves as the film's tragic protagonist, representing the ultimate victim of the town's brutal tradition. Throughout the lottery, she voices her dissent, exposing the irrationality of the ritualistic violence that is accepted by the community. Her desperate cries for justice highlight the human cost of conformity and the heart-wrenching consequences of blindly following tradition.

😢 Victim 🔊 Voice of dissent

Mr. Summers

Mr. Summers is the organizer of the lottery, embodying the administrative side of a deeply disturbing tradition. With a calm demeanor, he oversees the preparations, showcasing a detached attitude towards the impending violence. His character reflects the often unexamined roles individuals play in upholding societal norms, even when they partake in acts that contradict human decency.

📋 Organizer 🏠 Community leader

Mr. Graves

Mr. Graves, the postmaster, plays a crucial supporting role in facilitating the lottery process. His presence as a figure of authority in the village symbolizes the institutionalization of the lottery, further entrenching its normalcy in the community. His character raises questions about complicity and moral responsibility among individuals within a society.

📬 Authority 🔗 Complicit

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:50

Major Themes – The Lottery (2010)

Explore the central themes of The Lottery (2010), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The theme of justice is central to the story, as the lottery serves as a horrifying mechanism of societal judgment. Tessie's tragic fate raises questions about fairness and the morality of blindly following tradition. The film critiques how communities can uphold brutal practices in the name of collective well-being, blurring the lines between justice and injustice.

🌾 Tradition

Tradition plays a significant role in the film, emphasizing the tension between cultural heritage and evolving values. The villagers are caught between maintaining their ancestral rituals and the fear of changing times, with whispers of nearby towns abandoning the lottery. This theme highlights the struggle between comfort found in tradition and the need for societal progression.

😱 Fear

Fear permeates the narrative, both in the anxiety surrounding the lottery and the palpable dread among families preparing for the outcome. The children's innocent participation contrasts sharply with the adult understanding of the lethal stakes involved. This theme underscores the ways fear can manipulate societal behaviors and enforce compliance.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:50

Unlock the Full Story of The Lottery

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Lottery in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Lottery is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Lottery Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Lottery, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Lottery Summary

The Lottery Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Lottery with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Lottery Timeline

The Lottery Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Lottery that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Lottery Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Lottery

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Lottery: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Lottery

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