A lottery is a form of gambling that involves drawing numbers at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw it, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery and regulate it to some degree. Modern lotteries can be divided into two broad categories: charitable and commercial. The former include those that give away housing units or kindergarten placements, while the latter offer cash prizes. In both types, winnings are paid out after expenses and profits for the promoter are deducted from the total pool.
The story takes place in a small village where the people follow old traditions and rituals without question. The lottery is a way of purging the community of one person every year by collectively stoneing her to death. This ritual is a reminder of the inhumanity and lack of compassion that people are capable of displaying towards one another.
While the story does not contain many characterization methods, the actions and behavior of characters are important. For example, the head of the Hutchinson family is shown to have a quick temper and her action of picking a big rock expresses this trait.
The story demonstrates how people can become blind to outdated rituals. The people in the story are unable to see how their actions are negatively impacting the village and are just following along with what has always been done. The lottery is an example of how easy it is for individuals to become swept up in the culture and forget their own moral values.