I find Tessie Hutchison a worthy character to include in a list of characters. As a part of the "flock" it is almost as if Tessie had a sixth sense about that day. Did you notice she arrived to the drawing late, as in almost the last person there? People inquired as to where she was. It was almost as if she knew this would be her day. She happened to being finishing up a little bit of work in the kitchen.
Tessie might represent those in society who are aware enough to know that even though they follow most things blindly, every know and then it is easy to figure out that something bad is going to happen.
Tessie also had friends in the group. All the other housewives were the ones asking about her. This reveals to us something about societies. Even when it would seem prudent...
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and wise do something about a situation (like, oh, say save your friend from being stoned to death when she has done nothing to deserve it), we don't do anything. This society should have revolted from the act of stoning an individual just because a token member of society should be killed to ensure the harvest is good. That's absurd! These friends allowing this to happen perpetuate a problem in society.
There are two main characters in the story, in terms of social importance. They are Mr. Summers, the wealthiest man in town, and Mr. Graves, the second most powerful man in town. Both men seem to be in charge of the proceedings, and their positions are generally and meekly accepted by the rest of the town.
The other characters are their "flock," so to speak. They are led by these men in carryiing out this age-old ritual.
Some critics suggest that these men represent the upper-class members of our society, while the rest of the town represents the working class.
The members of the society perceive the two "organizers" much the way they perceive everything else about this story: they take everything in stride; there is a pervasive sense that this day is simply "business as usual," which the reader believes until the story's end.
Summers and Graves are separate from the rest of the town because of their status, as well as the part they play in running the lottery. There is no overt indication that they are also a part of the lottery system (of if they are supposed to be, are they really? they organize the collection of the names...); it's impossible to know. However, it is their acceptance and governing of the process that allows it to move forward.
And while one character, Mr. Adams, questions the purpose of continuing the proceedings while other towns have stopped, his opinion is meaningless as he stands at the front of the group when the stoning begins.
Who are the main characters in "The Lottery" and their roles in society?
Tessie Hutchinson is the main character of the story, who is an outspoken mother of three and becomes the community's scapegoat after she draws the slip of paper with a black spot on it. Despite her protests that the lottery is not fair, Tessie is brutally stoned to death by her neighbors and family. Since Tessie is a woman living in a patriarchal society, she has little say and is scolded by several members of the community for speaking out against the lottery. Mr. Summers is the lottery officiant and owner of a coal company. Mr. Summers is pitied by his neighbors because he has no children and his wife is a scold. He is respected and trusted throughout the community, and his name irrevocably connects him to the lottery, which takes place every summer.
Mr. Graves is the town's postmaster, who helps Mr. Summers host the annual lottery. He is depicted as a solemn man, whose name aligns him with death. Similar to Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves is a successful, trusted man throughout the community. Old Man Warner is the oldest resident in town and has survived seventy-seven lotteries. He is a staunch proponent of the lottery and warns others that they will go back to living in caves if they discontinue the lottery.