Lottery is a form of gambling in which people purchase chances to win money or goods. The chance of winning is determined by random selection. Prizes can be distributed in a lump sum or in payments over time, known as an annuity. Lotteries can be used for a variety of purposes, including charitable giving and public programs. A lottery can also be a form of taxation.

The story begins with a group of people standing in a square and drawing tickets. The reader assumes that these people are from the same family because there is no mention of other households in the story. As the drawing begins, Mr. Summers, the man who runs the lottery, carries out a black box and stirs up the papers inside of it. The papers look like lottery tickets, so the reader assumes that a prize will be awarded to one person who draws the lucky ticket.

After the drawing, the family members argue with each other about whether or not the lottery is fair. Eventually, the head of the family, Bill, decides to stop the argument and let the children draw.

Tessie Hutchinson, the main character in this story, is not happy with the way her family treats her. She feels that her family only cares about itself and not about her. In addition, she is worried that her husband will be the winner of the lottery and that he will leave her and their kids. In this way, the story shows that even small-town life can have a cruel side.