Question

Read this passage from “The Lottery” (paragraphs 31-34) to determine how the story element of character helps to shape the plot and the theme. Then answer the follow-up questions.
“They do say,” Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, “that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery.”

Old Man Warner snorted, “Pack of crazy fools,” he said. “Listening to the young folks, nothing’s good enough for them. Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while. Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.’ First thing you know, we’d all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns. There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. “Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.”

“Some places have already quit lotteries,” Mrs. Adams said.

“Nothing but trouble in that,” Old Man Warner said stoutly. “Pack of young fools.”Part A
Which of the following BEST describes why the story element of character is important in this passage?

Old Man Warner is the central character in the story.

Old Man Warner’s views represent the importance of tradition in the plot and the theme.

Old Man Warner’s distrust of young people strongly influences the theme and the action of the plot.

The fact that the villagers in Old Man Warner’s town reject the lottery is the conflict of the plot.
Part B
Which sentence or phrase from the passage supports your answer to Part A?

“‘There’s always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly.”

“‘Listening to the young folks, nothing’s good enough for them.’”

“‘Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.’”

“‘They do say,” Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, ‘that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery.’”Part A
Which of the following BEST describes why the story element of character is important in this passage?

Old Man Warner is the central character in the story.

Old Man Warner’s views represent the importance of tradition in the plot and the theme.

Old Man Warner’s distrust of young people strongly influences the theme and the action of the plot.

The fact that the villagers in Old Man Warner’s town reject the lottery is the conflict of the plot.
Part B
Which sentence or phrase from the passage supports your answer to Part A?

“‘There’s always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly.”

“‘Listening to the young folks, nothing’s good enough for them.’”

“‘Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.’”

“‘They do say,” Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, ‘that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery.’”
Part A
Which of the following BEST describes why the story element of character is important in this passage?

Old Man Warner is the central character in the story.

Old Man Warner’s views represent the importance of tradition in the plot and the theme.

Old Man Warner’s distrust of young people strongly influences the theme and the action of the plot.

The fact that the villagers in Old Man Warner’s town reject the lottery is the conflict of the plot.
Part B
Which sentence or phrase from the passage supports your answer to Part A?

“‘There’s always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly.”

“‘Listening to the young folks, nothing’s good enough for them.’”

“‘Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.’”

“‘They do say,” Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, ‘that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery.’”

Answer 1

Answer:

Part A

Old Man Warner’s views represent the importance of tradition in the plot and the theme.

Part B

“‘There’s always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly.”

Explanation:

Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" revolves around a village's tradition of making human sacrifices annually for a good harvest. The story deals with themes of society in conflict with individuals, tradition, civilization, violence, and the importance of questioning tradition.

In the given excerpt, when Mr. Adams revealed that some villages had decided to stop doing the annual lottery, Old Man Warner rebuked the thought heavily. According to him, the lottery has been a part of their lives and must continue to be so. He vehemently and straightforwardly stated, "There's always been a lottery."

This shows that Old Man Warner represents the importance of tradition, advancing the plot and theme in the story.