The Lottery

As June 27 approaches, the residents of the small town prepare for the annual lottery, filled with a mix of excitement and dread. Children gather stones while adults contribute to the event’s arrangements, highlighting the community's deep-rooted customs and traditions.

Mr. Summers, the coal merchant, and Mr. Graves, the postmaster, work late into the night preparing for the lottery. They compile a list of all families in the village and create paper slips, each carefully folded to maintain anonymity.

On the morning of the lottery, tension fills the air as families gather for the ritual. The age-worn black box, used for the lottery slips, is brought forth as the names of the families are about to be drawn.

The initial draw takes place to select one family from the town's population of about 300. There’s a collective sigh of relief among families as the first name is drawn, ensuring they are safe for another year.

As the draw progresses, Bill Hutchinson draws the marked slip, marking a turning point in the ceremony. Tessie, his wife, protests loudly, accusing the others of pressuring Bill into drawing, which ignites concern among the villagers.

The tradition dictates that the entire Hutchinson family must now participate in the final draw. Each family member, including Bill, Tessie, and their three children, places their slip into the black box, increasing the stakes dramatically.

As the Hutchinson family draws their slips one by one, the atmosphere becomes electric with tension and fear. The villagers watch intently, knowing the fate that a marked slip holds, while Tessie becomes increasingly worried for her family.

In a chilling moment, Tessie draws the slip marked with an ominous symbol, leaving her in disbelief. She protests vehemently, claiming that this lottery is unfair, bringing attention to the harsh reality of the tradition.

The mood shifts dramatically as the townsfolk, including Tessie's young son Davy, prepare to carry out the dreadful fate that awaits Tessie. This reveals the dark underpinnings of community loyalty and blind adherence to tradition.

In a horrifying culmination of the tradition, the townspeople begin to gather the stones they had collected earlier. Amidst Tessie's desperate cries for justice, the villagers hurl stones at her, showcasing the grim reality of societal conformity and the loss of humanity.

As the stoning occurs, some villagers reflect secretly on the whispers of other towns abandoning this brutal custom. The contrast between the horrific event and the desire for change highlights the internal conflict within the community.

Old Man Warner, a staunch supporter of the lottery, dismisses the idea of abandoning the tradition. He voices his unwavering belief in its necessity for a bountiful harvest, representing the generational divide in ideas about tradition.