"The Lottery" is a short story written by Shirley Jackson that explores the dark side of human nature through a seemingly normal village tradition. Each year, the townspeople gather for a lottery, where one person is randomly selected to face a grim fate. The story highlights the tension between tradition and morality. As the lottery unfolds, the villagers' excitement contrasts sharply with the shocking outcome. The selected individual, Tessie Hutchinson, becomes the target of the community's violence, revealing how societal norms can perpetuate cruelty. The narrative serves as a critique of blind adherence to tradition and the potential for inhumanity within society.