THE LOTTERY - Characters Analysis

Tessie Hutchinson, a housewife, is the story's main character and the winner—or victim—of the lottery. She's the mother of four, one married daughter and three young children, and the wife of Bill Hutchinson. Initially jocular and friendly, Mrs. Hutchinson is the only villager to show up late to the lottery, as if she is unconsciously avoiding it. She becomes frightened and angry when she realizes she will be the lottery's victim.

Bill Hutchinson is Tessie Hutchinson's husband and the father of their four children. He is the head of household chosen in the first lottery drawing. Mr. Hutchinson appears stoically accepting of his fate. Although he commands authority in the family, he defers to the town's authority in the lottery. Unlike his wife, Mr. Hutchinson is compliant when his name is chosen.

Mr. Summers is the lottery official. He runs the local coal business year-round. He is the head of many civic events in the village, such as the square dance and the teenage club. Mr. Summers is an outgoing man with a cheerful personality. He is brisk and efficient in conducting the lottery, as if it's just another of the popular events he coordinates. He also takes time to joke with the participants, his neighbors. Old Man Warner finds his joking disrespectful. Though Mr. Summers has authority in the lottery proceedings, he's an object of pity among the townspeople as a childless man with a scolding wife.

Old Man Warner is the oldest man in town. The lottery tradition is even older than he is, and he respects it accordingly. He has drawn in the lottery for 77 years. Old Man Warner is dismayed by the changes he sees around him in the next generation, including rumors of nearby villages giving up the lottery. He associates the lottery with other time-bound traditions that mark a civil society.

Mr. Adams is the first head of household to draw in the lottery since the names are called in alphabetical order. He and his wife tell Old Man Warner that some nearby towns are thinking of giving up lotteries or have done so already, suggesting they are open to the possibility of change. However Mr. Adams is in the front of the villagers when the stoning begins, indicating that he has given in to the tradition.

Mrs. Adams mentions that some places have "already quit lotteries."

Dickie Delacroix is Mr. and Mrs. Delacroix's young son. He is seen gathering stones as the story opens

Mr. Delacroix (a name that translates as "of the cross") is a lottery participant, drawing for himself, his wife, and his son.

Mrs. Delacroix is a housewife and the mother of young Dickie Delacroix. She is mild mannered and encourages Tessie to "be a good sport" when her family's name is drawn.

Horace Dunbar is a boy who is not old enough to select a slip on behalf of his family.

Mrs. Dunbar is a housewife. She fills in for her invalid husband as the head of household during the lottery. She is nervous in taking her husband's place in the lottery but shows courage by doing so anyway. She also wants to escape the censure of the villagers, some of whom don't approve of a woman drawing for her family.

Mr. Graves, the postmaster, assists Mr. Summers with the practicalities of conducting the lottery. He is committed to following the rules and making the lottery process run as smoothly as possible.

Mrs. Graves is the wife of Mr. Graves. She is cordial to her neighbors and a willing lottery participant. She is in front of the crowd when the stoning begins. Mrs. Graves reminds Tessie that everyone in the lottery took the same chance.

Bill Jr. is Bill and Tessie Hutchinson's oldest son. He is not yet old enough to draw for himself as a head of household, so he draws with his family during the final lottery drawing.

Davy Hutchinson is Bill and Tessie Hutchinson's youngest son. He draws with his family during the final lottery drawing. During the stoning, he is given a few pebbles to participate in killing his mother.

Eva is Bill and Tessie's oldest daughter. Since she is married, she draws with her husband's family and does not participate in the final lottery drawing with the rest of the Hutchinsons.

Nancy is Bill and Tessie Hutchinson's 12-year-old daughter. She draws with her family.

Bobby is Mr. Martin's young son. He is seen gathering stones as the story opens.

Mr. Martin is the grocer who assists Mr. Summers in conducting the lottery.

The Watson boy is a lottery participant drawing for himself and his mother.