The Lottery Characters

Tessie’s husband who draws the marked slip of paper for his family. He exhibits little distinct character, although he does forcefully remove the marked paper from his wife’s hand and tells her to “shut up” as she protests.

The twelve-year-old daughter of the Hutchinsons. She is popular, and her friends wait with bated breath as she draws her slip of paper from the Hutchinsons’ pool.

The Hutchinsons’ son. He and Nancy joyfully show their blank slips to the crowd when they draw them. They don’t appear to show anxiety or remorse at their mother’s fate.

Another child of the Hutchinsons, she is no longer considered part of their family for the purpose of the lottery because she is married. Tessie is reminded of this when she attempts to have Eva and her husband Don take their chance with the rest of the Hutchinsons.

Eva’s husband.

Mr. Graves is the village postmaster and Mr. Summer’s assistant in the proceedings of the lottery.

A villager who reminds Tessie that they all take the same chance by entering the lottery. Mrs. Graves is at the front of the crowd with Steve Adams as the villagers overwhelm Tessie.

A villager.

A villager. She coaxes Mrs. Dunbar to hurry up as the killing begins.

The child of Mr. and Mrs. Delacroix, Dickie works with the other boys at the beginning of the story to collect piles of stones.

The only villager not in attendance at the lottery. He has been excused because he has a broken leg. As a result, his wife must draw for herself and their sons.

The Dunbars’ eldest son who, at sixteen, is still too young to draw in his mother’s stead for their family. As instructed by his mother, Horace runs to tell his father which villager was chosen by the lottery.

A villager who, with his son Baxter, holds the black box during the ritual of the lottery.

Mr. Martin’s oldest son who holds the black box with his father as slips of paper are drawn.

A young son of Mr. Martin’s, Bobby fills his pockets with stones at the beginning of the story.

A village boy who works on collecting piles of stones at the beginning of the story.

The first villager to draw his family’s slip of paper from the black box. He talks with Old Man Warner about neighboring places that have quit doing the lottery, and is at the front of the crowd as it overwhelms Tessie.

Steve Adam’s wife, who joins him in conversation with Old Man Warner about the possibility of giving up the lottery.