The Lottery

The story contrasts commonplace details of contemporary life with a barbaric ritual known as the "lottery". After a person from each family draws a small piece of paper, one slip with a black spot indicates the Hutchinson family has been chosen. When each member of that family draws again to see which family member "wins," Tessie Hutchinson is the final choice. She is then stoned by everyone present, including her own family. This story represents how this town follows a tradition without any purpose or without knowing its creation.