Although "The Lottery" begins with positive imagery, characters such as Old Man Warner begin to shift the tone as the story develops. Old Man Warner, a character who resists change, is the central voice of tradition in the story and is fundamental in developing the theme about the dangers of blindly following tradition.

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson provides several indications of the lottery's long history. The black box used for drawing names predates the oldest man in town, and the names of townsfolk used to be written on wood chips, used for generations before being replaced with paper. Additionally, a "recital of some sort" was performed annually before the names were drawn, but this tradition was dropped "years and years ago." The phrase "There’s always been a lottery" implies an enduring tradition.

In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," the ritual began as a civic activity akin to other community events without a clear origin, emphasizing the dangers of unexamined traditions. The endurance of the black box symbolizes the townspeople's adherence to tradition, reflecting their fear of change and the perceived necessity of the lottery for prosperity. This blind conformity underscores the story's critique of societal rituals and the scapegoating of individuals, as highlighted by Tessie's protest against its fairness.

Mr. Warner's attitude toward the lottery differs from the rest of the community as he staunchly supports it, viewing its abandonment as a threat to societal order. He dismisses other villages abandoning the lottery as "crazy fools" and blames young people for these changes, seeing them as a regression to primitive times. Warner represents resistance to change and values tradition, criticizing others for their lack of respect and decorum during the ritual.

Readers likely realize the lottery's grim purpose when villagers exhibit nervous and restrained behavior, such as avoiding the pile of stones and speaking in subdued tones. Suspicion grows as Mr. Summers hastens the process and Tessie Hutchinson protests, revealing the lottery is not desirable. The ominous atmosphere becomes clear when references to stones and the community's reluctance to participate suggest the lottery's deadly outcome, culminating in Tessie's selection and the impending stoning.

People in "The Lottery" fear change because they blindly follow tradition, believing it provides order and stability. The lottery, an annual event, is linked to superstitions about crop success, as suggested by Old Man Warner's saying, "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon." This fear of poor harvests and societal collapse, combined with ignorance and the belief that the lottery ensures moral health, compels villagers to perpetuate the brutal tradition despite its immorality.

In "The Lottery," the main paraphernalia includes a black wooden box and slips of paper used for drawing lots, with stones employed in the ritual execution. The tradition has been preserved in a simplified form; many original elements like chants and salutes have been discarded over time. The black box, possibly made from parts of the original, symbolizes continuity, though its origins are forgotten, maintaining the ritual's core purpose of selecting a sacrificial victim.

In addressing "strange" rituals in different cultures, as depicted in "The Lottery," it's important to balance cultural relativism with moral absolutism. While respecting cultural differences, certain actions, such as genocide, terrorism, rape, and slavery, are universally wrong and should be criticized. "The Lottery" illustrates a ritual that is morally wrong, not merely strange, as it involves community-perpetrated violence. Recognizing these acts as wrong allows for moral critique beyond cultural relativism.

The townspeople of the novel are convinced that the lottery is necessary for good luck, although they have no evidence to support this belief. They are convinced by the tradition and believe that it is a tradition worth keeping. The villagers refuse to change their beliefs or replace the dilapidated black box.

The story provides minimal clues about the origins and purpose of the lottery, emphasizing its mysterious nature. The tradition seems rooted in agricultural practices, as suggested by Old Man Warner's saying, "lottery in June, corn be heavy soon," indicating a belief in sacrifice to ensure a good harvest. Despite its archaic roots and lack of clear rationale, the townspeople blindly follow the tradition, perpetuating it without questioning its purpose or origin.