He is reluctant to stand up to the behaviors that are familiar to the people of the town. So like the town has done for many years, he does not question the customs they have used. He simply just accepts what is, even though he may not believe in the customs. .
The only character in the story that actually dared to challenge the tradition is Mrs. Hutchinson. The only time she mentions about how ridiculous the tradition has become, is when she herself has to face the harsh consequences of the annual lottery. Before she gets the stones thrown at her, she screams "this isn't fair, this isn't right". This is the only point in the story that anyone says anything about how irrational the tradition of the lottery has become. This is because they may not see how absurd things have become till it happens to them.
Mrs.Hutchinson is a character who represents the breaking from tradition. She is the only character who has forgotten that it is the day of the annual lottery. As she comes running in late, she says to Mr.Summers sarcastically "Wouldn't have me leave m"dishes in the sink now, would you. Joe?." This statement shows how Mrs.Hutchinson realizes how the traditions have become old, and out-dated. Yet she knows it is not right to follow these old traditions. When she finally does speak her mind, it is too late, and she is then killed. .
The character that most demonstrates the idea of never breaking from tradition is old man Warner. He is the oldest person in the small town. He often becomes outraged when someone even mentions the idea of changing the rituals of the drawing of the lottery. Even though Warner is the towns elder, he does not even recall how or where the lottery came about, or why they continue with the ritual. This shows that the lottery is so out-dated, that even the oldest man in town has no idea about the origins of the annual event.
The Author uses the character of old man Warner, to show the ignorance of doing something just for the simple fact that it is a tradition.
