Study Guide

The Lottery Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy

"The Lottery"

Tess Hutchinson: "Get up there, Bill," Mrs. Hutchinson said. (30)
This passage demonstrates Mrs. Hutchinson's eagerness to participate in the lottery. She actually encourages her husband forward, contrary to her later protests that he was not given enough time.
"There's Don and Eva," Mrs. Hutchinson yelled. "Make them take their chance!"

"Daughters draw with their husbands' families, Tessie," Mr. Summers said gently. "You know that as well as anyone else." (50)
Tess Hutchinson is clearly willing to sacrifice members of her own family if it means she can avoid the lottery.
"It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her. (80)
Mrs. Hutchinson is protesting only because the violence has become personal. She would have been perfectly fine with the idea of being one of the attackers.
The Delacroix Family: Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. "Come on," she said. "Hurry up." (76)
Mrs. Delacroix was such a sweet friend to Tess at the beginning of the story, but her true nature is revealed here.; "Clean forgot what day it was," she said to Mrs. Delacroix, who stood next to her, and they both laughed softly. (8)
This moment of friendship is later exposed to be hollow and meaningless.

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