It is very skillfully done, especially in the opening of the story, where the lottery is referred to as one of the common activities of the town while not disclosing its true purpose. In fact, at the beginning we are led to believe that the town is as normal as any other, and that will eventually contrast dramatically with the gist of the story:
They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip as they went to join their husbands. Soon the women, standing by their husbands, began to call to their children, and the children came reluctantly, having to be called four or five times. Bobby Martin ducked under his mother's grasping hand and ran, laughing, back to the pile of stones.
As you move onto the story, you sense something is horribly weird. The characters being to take a subtle hue of curiosity and it all becomes darker and colder. Also, you see the atmosphere changing within. This also includes the juxtaposition of the name "Mr Graves" next to the phrase "We are next"
We're next." Mrs. Graves said. She watched while Mr. Graves came around from the side of the box, greeted Mr. Summers gravely and selected a slip of paper from the box. By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hand. turning them over and over nervously Mrs. Dunbar and her two sons stood together, Mrs. Dunbar holding the slip of paper.
After the Hutchinson fate began to be revealed, the anxiety of the lottery begins to be felt and that is when we realize what this may be:
Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. "It isn't fair," she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head. Old Man Warner was saying, "Come on, come on, everyone." Steve Adams was in the front of the crowd of villagers, with Mrs. Graves beside him.
"It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.
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