Mr Summers

Mr Summers is a secondary character in the story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. He runs the coal business and is in charge of many of the community’s activities: “The lottery was conducted – as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program – by Mr Summers” . Despite his wealth and his status, the community sees Mr Summers as an unfortunate man: “people were sorry for him because he had no children and his wife was a scold.”

His outer characterisation tells us that he is “a round-faced, jovial man” , dressed in a “clean white shirt and blue jeans” . His clothing also makes him stand out among the common villagers, hinting at his higher social status.

Mr Summers’ inner characterisation is constructed through his language and actions, and through the narrator’s words. Firstly, we are told that Mr Summers is wealthy and...