Tessie Hutchinson: Normal Behavior

Tessie Hutchinson: Normal Behavior

When a person thinks about confronting death, he or she thinks about how or when it will happen. Many people envision the actions the actions they believe they would take, but until faced with that fatal situation, no one can be certain of the behavior or the measures he or she will take. When faced with death, many prominent psychologists believe there are five stages a person endures. The stages experienced are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (Gould). These stages are tools that allow us to identify what we may be feeling. Not everyone experiences all of these stages or in sequence.

In “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson demonstrates how the protagonist, Tessie Hutchinson, reacts when confronted with her upcoming death. Tessie is an ordinary wife and mother of three, who is portrayed as inhuman due to her irrational behavior as she progresses through the five stages of dying. Now knowing the process in which a person perceives death, Tessie’s behavior is that of any normal human being faced with this fatal situation. It is a mandatory tradition in which a “winner” is chosen to undergo a deadly stoning by the entire community. Tessie has participated in the lottery for several years, and luckily, she survives the horrific event each year. Luck finally depletes for everyone, and someone has to be the “winner”. Tessie is in disbelief that she is chosen. Tessie states, “’You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. . .’” (Jackson 503). The argument put up by Tessie was that of the first stage of denial. When in denial, a person tries to find a glitch or mistake in the situation. This stage often comes in the form of questioning reality. Tessie questions the proficiency of the drawing searching for an error in the decision of her family being chosen for the lottery.

When one is not in control of oneself or a loved ones life, an overwhelming sense of anger begins to surface. In Tessie’s situation, she gains strength by using her anger (Gould). The anger allows her to feel in control because she is able to control her rage as she shouts, “’. . . It wasn’t fair!’ ‘Be a good sport Tessie.’ Mrs. Delacroix called and Mrs. Graves said, ‘All of us took the same chance.’ ‘Shut up Tessie.’ Bill Hutchinson said.” (Jackson 503). A friend or family member who betrays one at time of need is enough to make any person’s rage progress into a wrathful state. Not only is her situation uncontrollable, but Tessie has no one by her side during this terrifying ordeal. This is the second stage of dying; anger (Gould). Tessie is enraged by her loss of power in this unwanted situation. She was not ready to die, not like this.

Tessie is often portrayed as a coward or inhuman due to her demand that her daughter and son-in-law, Eva and Don, be entered in the final drawing. “’There’s Don and Eva!’ Mrs. Hutchinson yelled. ‘Make them take their chance!’ ‘Daughters draw with their husband’s families, Tessie.’ Mr. Summers said gently. ‘You know that as well as