Tessie Hutchinson in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Tessie Hutchinson is in many ways the protagonist in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery.” This is not only because her behavior and actions set her apart from the rest of the villagers, but also because she is the victim of a dangerous tradition that the community has blindly followed for years. This essay examines her character and how she contributes to the story’s major thematic concerns