Question

How does the detail "And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles" contribute to the text? (The Lottery)

Answer 1

The detail "And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles" contributes to the text because it stresses that everyone participates in the lottery, even Mrs Hutchinson's son.

To the people in the story, participating in the lottery is a necessary tradition that will ensure a good harvest. Winning the lottery (although no one really wants to "win") is seen as an honor.

The fact that they have Davy throw pebbles at his own mother proves that the townsfolk want every single person to share culpability for the stoning, even the smallest of children.