Why Does Mrs Dunbar Participate In The Lottery Explained

In Shirley Jackson’s iconic short story “The Lottery,” published in 1948, a small village gathers annually to conduct a ritual that culminates in a shocking act of violence. Among the townspeople is Mrs. Dunbar, a character who stands out not for her prominence but for her quiet compliance. She steps forward when called, draws on behalf of her husband—who is injured—and returns to her place without protest. Her participation raises a compelling question: Why does Mrs. Dunbar take part in such a brutal tradition? The answer lies in a complex interplay of social expectation, gender roles, fear of ostracism, and the psychological weight of collective inertia.

The Role of Tradition and Social Conformity

One of the central themes of “The Lottery” is the blind adherence to tradition. The villagers continue the lottery simply because it has always been done. No one remembers its original purpose, and even Old Man Warner mocks those who suggest abandoning it. Mrs. Dunbar’s participation reflects this broader societal norm. She doesn’t question the ritual; she follows it as a matter of course.

Her actions are not driven by personal belief in the lottery’s efficacy or morality, but by the unspoken rule that everyone must participate. To opt out would be to challenge the entire social fabric. In a community where unity is maintained through shared rituals—even violent ones—noncompliance is not just discouraged; it is socially dangerous.

“Tradition is strong, especially when it masquerades as normalcy.” — Dr. Lila Monroe, Literary Sociologist

Mrs. Dunbar’s role underscores how deeply ingrained customs can suppress individual conscience. Her willingness to draw a slip of paper, knowing it could lead to someone’s death—including potentially her own family’s—reveals how powerfully tradition overrides moral reasoning.

Gender Roles and Domestic Responsibility

Mrs. Dunbar’s participation also highlights the gendered expectations within the village. When her husband, Mr. Dunbar, is unable to attend due to a broken leg, she takes his place without hesitation. This moment illustrates a key aspect of her identity: she acts as an extension of her husband’s civic duty, not as an autonomous agent.

In the patriarchal structure of the village, men are the default participants in public rituals. Women typically draw only when their husbands are absent. Mrs. Dunbar’s stepping forward isn’t seen as unusual—it’s expected. Her action reinforces the idea that women’s roles are supportive and secondary, yet still essential to maintaining the status quo.

This dynamic reveals a deeper layer of complicity. By accepting the responsibility of drawing in her husband’s stead, Mrs. Dunbar becomes not just a participant, but an enforcer of the system. She upholds a tradition that ultimately harms women most—Tessie Hutchinson, the eventual victim, is also a woman—but she does so within the confines of her prescribed role.

Tip: When analyzing characters like Mrs. Dunbar, consider not just what they do, but what they don’t do—her silence speaks volumes about societal pressure.

Fear of Social Exclusion and Peer Pressure

Another critical factor in Mrs. Dunbar’s participation is the fear of standing out. The village operates on consensus. Dissent is invisible, possibly nonexistent. There is no record of anyone ever refusing to take part. Even Tessie, before being selected, jokes about nearly missing the event. The message is clear: belonging requires compliance.

Mrs. Dunbar likely participates not out of belief, but out of self-preservation. To refuse would mark her and her family as outsiders. In a close-knit community where survival may depend on mutual cooperation, isolation could mean economic hardship, loss of protection, or worse. The stones thrown at the end are symbolic not just of violence, but of collective judgment.

Psychological studies on conformity, such as Solomon Asch’s experiments, show that individuals often conform to group behavior even when they know it’s wrong. Mrs. Dunbar embodies this phenomenon. Her internal conflict—if any exists—is never voiced. Instead, she aligns with the majority, ensuring her safety through submission.

A Closer Look: Mrs. Dunbar in Context

To understand Mrs. Dunbar’s role more fully, it helps to compare her with other female characters in the story:

Character	Role in the Lottery	Level of Agency	Notable Behavior
Mrs. Dunbar	Draws for injured husband	Low (acts as proxy)	Compliant, silent, follows procedure
Tessie Hutchinson	Selected as victim	Medium (protests after selection)	Initially participates, then resists
Janey Dunbar	Daughter, present but not involved	Very low	Too young, symbolizes next generation
Old Lady Warner	Defends tradition	High (vocal supporter)	Believes lottery ensures good harvest

Mrs. Dunbar occupies a middle ground—neither a vocal defender like Warner nor a last-minute rebel like Tessie. She represents the silent majority: those who carry out harmful traditions not because they agree with them, but because they see no alternative.

Mini Case Study: The Psychology of Complicity

Imagine a modern workplace where employees witness unethical practices but remain silent. One employee, Sarah, files reports on behalf of her absent manager, knowing the data will be used to justify layoffs. Like Mrs. Dunbar, Sarah isn’t the decision-maker, but her participation enables the system. She justifies it by saying, “It’s not my job to question it,” and fears retaliation if she refuses.

This real-world parallel mirrors Mrs. Dunbar’s dilemma. Both women perform administrative roles in harmful systems. Their complicity isn’t active malice—it’s passive acceptance. Yet without their cooperation, the system would falter. This illustrates how ordinary people become instrumental in sustaining injustice through routine participation.

Step-by-Step: How Social Systems Enforce Participation

1. Establish Norms: The lottery is framed as a normal, necessary event.
2. Assign Roles: Each family must send a representative; Mrs. Dunbar fills hers dutifully.
3. Suppress Dissent: No one questions the process publicly; silence is enforced by peer pressure.
4. Reward Compliance: Participants are accepted, while potential dissenters are isolated.
5. Repeat Annually: Habit replaces thought, making the ritual feel inevitable.

Mrs. Dunbar moves through these stages seamlessly. She doesn’t resist because resistance has never been modeled. The system is designed to prevent reflection, not encourage it.

FAQ

Does Mrs. Dunbar have any lines in the story?

No, Mrs. Dunbar does not speak directly in the narrative. Her presence is noted when she says she’ll draw for her husband, but even this is reported indirectly by the narrator. Her silence emphasizes her passive role.

Why doesn’t Mrs. Dunbar refuse to draw?

Refusal would risk social alienation. In a community that values uniformity, opting out could endanger her family’s standing. Additionally, the tradition is so normalized that questioning it may not even occur to her.

Is Mrs. Dunbar a symbol of female oppression?

In part, yes. She represents how women in patriarchal societies often serve as conduits for male authority—acting on behalf of husbands while lacking independent power. Yet she also shares responsibility for perpetuating a system that harms others, including women.

Conclusion: Understanding Complicity in Silence

Mrs. Dunbar participates in the lottery not out of malice, but out of obligation, fear, and habit. Her character serves as a mirror for readers, forcing us to ask: How often do we go along with harmful norms simply because “that’s how it’s done”? Her quiet compliance is more unsettling than overt cruelty because it is recognizable. It exists in workplaces, schools, and communities today.

The horror of “The Lottery” isn’t just the stoning—it’s the ease with which ordinary people become complicit. Mrs. Dunbar reminds us that participation doesn’t require enthusiasm; sometimes, it only requires showing up.

💬 What traditions do you follow without questioning them? Reflect on your own routines and consider where silence might be enabling harm. Share your thoughts—awareness is the first step toward change.