The Lottery and The Runt Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What does the Runt initially say when he meets Dearly?

Who are you?

I have no name.

I’m running away from home. (correct)

I am scared.

How does Dearly respond when asked about the old farmhouse?

Nobody lives there now. (correct)

It’s haunted.

I live there sometimes.

It’s a magical place.

What are the larger stones in the meadow described as?

Completely covered in moss.

Tall stones, bigger than either of the boys. (correct)

Too small to sit on.

Huge and intimidating.

What happened to the town that used to exist nearby?

It dried up and fell apart. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Runt's real name?

Donald Signup and view all the answers

How does Dearly describe the people buried in the meadow?

Mostly okay people. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Runt do with his schoolbag before they explore the meadow?

Moves it next to the fence post. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dearly suggest as a fun activity they could do together?

Play in the old houses. Signup and view all the answers

What does June imply when she mentions someone watching from the woods?

She has an active imagination. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the boy's unhappiness at home?

He struggles to connect with his family. Signup and view all the answers

How do the twin brothers contribute to the boy's sense of isolation?

They purposely exclude and bully him. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the nickname 'Runt' have on the boy?

It isolates him from his peers. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the boy's physical appearance?

He is noticeably smaller and weaker. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the mother play in her children's lives?

She works outside the home and is supportive of all her kids. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated about the way the peers view the boy?

They follow the twins' lead in calling him Runt. Signup and view all the answers

How does the family dynamic affect the boy's sense of self-worth?

He becomes self-critical and doubts himself. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of tree do the boys climb?

Beech tree Signup and view all the answers

How does the Runt feel about climbing the tree?

He thinks it will be easy. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Runt imagine for his future after climbing the tree?

He will travel to distant places and become wealthy. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the Runt face when climbing down the tree?

It's harder to see where to place his feet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Runt's immediate reaction to the day spent climbing the tree?

He considers it the best day he ever had. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Runt believe will happen in his imagined confrontation with the twins?

They will apologize and weep. Signup and view all the answers

What physical skill do the boys exhibit while climbing the beech tree?

They climb with agility and confidence. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mr. Summers bring to the square?

A black wooden box Signup and view all the answers

Who assisted Mr. Summers with the black box?

Mr. Martin and his oldest son, Baxter Signup and view all the answers

What has happened to the original black box over the years?

It has become heavily stained and splintered Signup and view all the answers

Why did the villagers hesitate to get a new box?

They were afraid of change and valued tradition Signup and view all the answers

What was used in place of the chips of wood?

Slips of paper Signup and view all the answers

How did the black box signify the village's history?

It was created by the first settlers of the village Signup and view all the answers

What role did Mr. Graves play during the lottery preparation?

He carried the three-legged stool Signup and view all the answers

What did Mr. Summers do with the slips of paper before the lottery?

He placed them in the black box Signup and view all the answers

What was Mrs. Hutchinson's main concern during the drawing?

The process was not fair and lacked time for choice. Signup and view all the answers

Who assisted little Dave during the drawing?

Mr. Graves Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the crowd when they saw the slips of paper?

There was a general sigh when a blank paper was revealed. Signup and view all the answers

What did Old Man Warner imply about society's changes during the event?

Society's values have deteriorated over time. Signup and view all the answers

What was Bill Hutchinson's reaction as he participated in the drawing?

He looked around at his family with concern. Signup and view all the answers

What did the children do as they drew slips from the box?

They laughed and cheered amongst themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What did Tessie Hutchinson do before drawing from the box?

She hesitated and looked around defiantly. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the drawing process is true?

Mr. Summers oversaw the process and called out the names. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Runt

Donald is a young boy who is mistreated by his twin brothers.
He is called "the Runt" and is constantly belittled.
He feels isolated and unhappy at home.
Donald runs away from home and meets a boy named Dearly in the woods.
Dearly is also an outcast and has a mysterious past.

The Town

The town is described as being run-down and forgotten.
It is implied that a tragic event or series of events led to its decline.
Many houses in the town are abandoned.
The town has a tradition of holding a lottery that seems to be a grim annual event.

The Lottery

The lottery is an ancient tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The villagers participate in the lottery with a mixture of apathy and fear.
The villagers use a black box to draw names for the lottery.
The box has been passed down for generations and is considered a symbol of the tradition.
The slips of paper in the box are used to determine which villager will be chosen for the lottery.
The lottery is shrouded in secrecy and lacks any clear purpose or meaning.

Tessie Hutchinson

Tessie is a married woman who is participating in the lottery.
She initially protests the fairness of the lottery but later becomes the victim.
Her selection as the victim of the lottery is a shocking and tragic event.
Her death underscores the cruelty and thoughtlessness of the tradition.

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Description

Explore the themes and characters in 'The Lottery' and 'The Runt'. This quiz examines the experiences of Donald and the chilling tradition of the lottery in the town. Test your understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the societal implications presented in these stories.