Plot
Where does “The Lottery” take place?
In a small village.
Who is Tessie Hutchinson?
She is one of the villagers and Bill Hutchinson's wife.
What is foreshadowing?
Clues that hint at what will happen later.
What object is used for the lottery?
A black box.
Who is finally selected?
Tessie Hutchinson.
What are the villagers gathering to do?
They are gathering for the lottery.
Who is Bill Hutchinson?
Tessie's husband.
Give one example of foreshadowing from the story.
The children gathering stones.
Who participates in the lottery?
The villagers/families.
What does Tessie say when she is selected?
She says that it is not fair.
What does each family choose during the lottery?
A piece of paper.
Who is Old Man Warner?
An older villager who strongly supports the lottery.
What is the conflict in the story?
Tessie and the villagers' tradition/the lottery.
What does the marked paper mean?
The person or family with it is selected.
What do the villagers pick up at the end?
Stones.
What happens after Bill Hutchinson chooses the marked paper?
His family has to choose again.
Who organizes the lottery?
Mr. Summers.
What is the mood at the beginning of the story?
Calm, peaceful, or cheerful.
What does Old Man Warner believe about the lottery?
He believes the lottery is an important tradition that should continue.
Who participates in the attack on Tessie?
The villagers, including people from her own community.
What happens at the very end of the story?
Tessie Hutchinson is chosen, and the villagers stone her
How does Tessie act when she is chosen?
She protests and says that it is not fair.
How does the mood change by the end?
It becomes dark, tense, and frightening.
Why is the lottery surprising to the reader?
It seems like a normal community tradition at first, but it ends with someone being killed.
Why is the ending shocking?
The story begins peacefully, but it ends with the villagers killing Tessie.