"The Lottery" is a short story written by Shirley Jackson that was first published in 1948. It tells the story of a small town that holds an annual lottery in which one member of the community is chosen to be stoned to death by their neighbors. The character of Old Man Warner is a key figure in the story. He is one of the oldest members of the town, and he is known for his strong support of the tradition of the lottery.
Old Man Warner is described as a "frail old man" with "great gnarled hands" and "watery eyes." He is the oldest man in town, and he has participated in the lottery for 77 years. He is proud of his participation in the tradition and believes that it is necessary for the good of the community. He is also fiercely resistant to any attempts to change the tradition, viewing them as a threat to the order and stability of the town.
Despite his advanced age and frailty, Old Man Warner is an imposing figure in the story. He is described as being "tough" and "vigorous," and he is seen as a leader among the other members of the town. He is respected by the other characters for his wisdom and experience, and his words carry a lot of weight. He is also fiercely protective of the tradition of the lottery and will not tolerate any attempts to challenge it.
In many ways, Old Man Warner represents the stubborn adherence to tradition and the resistance to change that can be found in many small communities. He is a symbol of the way that people can become entrenched in their beliefs and habits, even when they are harmful or destructive. At the same time, however, Old Man Warner also represents the dangers of blindly following tradition and the importance of questioning and challenging the status quo.
Despite his conviction that the lottery is necessary and good, Old Man Warner ultimately becomes a tragic figure in the story. He is unable to see the harm and cruelty of the tradition, and he becomes a victim of it when his own grandson is chosen as the victim in the lottery. In this way, Old Man Warner serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly following tradition and the importance of questioning and challenging the status quo.
Overall, Old Man Warner is a complex and multifaceted character in "The Lottery." He represents the stubborn adherence to tradition and the resistance to change that can be found in many small communities, but he also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly following tradition and the importance of questioning and challenging the status quo.
