The Lottery

Similar to the story Popular Mechanics, The Lottery also has some irony incorporated through the plot and characters. When people usually hear the word "lottery", it has a positive connotation. However, in this situation, the lottery is the furthest thing from positive. Instead of longing to win and be chosen for the lottery, the lottery is avoided at all costs by the people in this situation. There is also irony in a certain character's opinions and beliefs regarding the lottery. Old Man Warner states that "there's always been a lottery" and that the village that is considering giving it up is a "pack of crazy fools". He thinks that not having a lottery would basically be uncivilized, but their tradition of stoning someone through the lottery is really uncivilized and barbaric. In addition to Old Man Warner, Mrs. Dunbar's behavior at the lottery shows irony. At first, Mrs. Dunbar is talking with Mrs. Hutchinson in a friendly manner. But as soon as Mrs. Hutchinson's name is picked for the lottery, Mrs. Dunbar quickly forgets their friendship and takes part in the ritual without even thinking twice about Mrs. Hutchinson. This shift in opinion and personality shows how the people turn on each other so quickly and easily.