What Happens to Mrs. Hutchinson at The End of The Story? Analyzing The Shocking Conclusion of The Lottery

The conclusion of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" is nothing short of shocking, leaving readers to grapple with the implications of its chilling finale. The story, first published in 1948, paints a vivid picture of a seemingly ordinary town where an annual lottery takes place. However, as the narrative unfolds, the true nature of this lottery reveals itself in a way that both horrifies and captivates. At the center of this harrowing tale is Mrs. Hutchinson, whose fate at the end serves as a powerful commentary on conformity, tradition, and human nature.

The Build-Up to Mrs. Hutchinson’s Fate

Initially, Mrs. Hutchinson appears to be just another participant in this small-town ritual. She arrives late to the lottery but is greeted with some lighthearted banter about her tardiness. This interaction seems to paint her as an everyday person—someone relatable who perhaps shares in the communal spirit of the town. However, as she becomes more involved in the proceedings and ultimately draws the black box containing the slip that marks her for sacrifice, it becomes clear that she is anything but ordinary.

What’s fascinating here is how Jackson meticulously builds tension throughout the story leading up to this moment. The townsfolk are depicted as friendly neighbors who engage in casual conversations before they switch gears into a chilling ritual that demands someone’s life every year—a practice steeped in tradition yet devoid of any real rationale or compassion. Mrs. Hutchinson’s initial joviality contrasts sharply with what happens next; she goes from being a jovial participant to a desperate individual pleading for mercy.

Once Mrs. Hutchinson realizes that she has drawn the marked slip—the one that signifies her impending doom—her demeanor shifts dramatically. She begins to protest against what seems like an arbitrary decision: “It isn’t fair!” she cries out repeatedly. This moment represents not only her personal despair but also highlights broader themes about societal norms and collective behavior.

This plea is significant because it underscores how quickly one can go from being part of society's fabric to becoming its victim when conformity overrides individual morality or rational thought. In our modern context, we can draw parallels between Mrs. Hutchinson's plight and situations where individuals are scapegoated or sacrificed for the sake of tradition or groupthink—concepts all too familiar in contemporary discourse about social justice and ethics.

Moreover, Jackson doesn’t just focus on Mrs. Hutchinson; she also comments on how complicit everyone else is in this brutal ritual—even those who seem sympathetic toward her plight moments before her death like Mr. Graves or even old man Warner who staunchly defends tradition at all costs.
As they gather around her with stones ready for execution, we see how quickly empathy evaporates when faced with societal expectations and fear of breaking away from established norms.

This collective behavior forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions about their own societies: How far would we go to uphold traditions? What lines might we cross if everyone around us were doing so? It raises vital discussions on moral responsibility versus cultural adherence—a duality that Jackson masterfully illustrates through her characters’ interactions leading up to Mrs.Hutchison's tragic end.