Some of the names are symbolic while others were just the
most popular names around at the time the story was written. Some of the names, too, are
obviously significant: the ritual is presided over by Mr. Summers, the first man to draw
a lot is Mr. Adams, and conservative warnings are uttered by Mr. Warner. Note, too, that
the leaders of the attack on Mrs. Hutchinson are Adams (the first sinner) and Graves
(the result of sin was death). Mr. Summers, a “round-faced, jovial man,” has the “time
and energy to devote to civic activities.” His name is ironic, too, for summer usually
connotes youth and freedom, but he perpetuates a deathly ritual.
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