Question

Why do the townspeople stone people in their community in the short story "The Lottery?"

Answer 1

Answer: Because they are blindly following the tradition of the lottery and are afraid that, if they did not continue with this ritual, it would bring them bad luck.

Explanation:

In "The Lottery", a short story by Shirley Jackson, an annual lottery is held at the end of each June. One citizen who draws a slip of paper with a black spot dies by stoning. By portraying a community that blindly follows this pointless ritual, Jackson mocks people who do not accept a change and stick to the past. The villagers are afraid of the lottery and believe that one innocent individual must be sacrificed so that a good harvest is ensured. They continue to participate in this ritual, regardless of how brutal and senseless it obviously is.