Are there any significant characters that add to the meaning of the story the lottery?

Tess Hutchinson is the only dynamic character in the story, meaning that she is the only character that changes. After her husband drew the marked slip of paper, she realized that the lottery is inhumane. However, if her family hadn't been chosen, she never would have made this realization. It is ironic that Tess was stoned to death because she was very unconcerned by the lottery in the beginning of the story.

Davie Hutchinson is very significant to the story because he helped to kill his mother without hesitation. This shows just how corrupt their society is.

Mr. Graves and Mr. Summers are character foils, meaning that they are opposites. They have very contrasting personalities, as well as contrasting last names. Graves symbolizes death, mortality, and darkness, while Summers symbolizes energy and brightness. Shirley Jackson could have created these two characters to reiterate how to the townspeople, the lottery is a fun "civic activity," when in reality, it's an immoral atrocity.

The children -- Bobby Martin, Dickie Delacroix, Harry Jones, and Bobby Jones -- are all significant to the story. They began gathering stones before the lottery began, which shows that they were excited about stoning someone to death.