The older villagers did not want this practice to die out because they illogically believe that it maintains the stability of society. Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, has entered seventy-seven lotteries and is a firm believer in keeping things exactly as they are. He describes the cities and young people who have stopped participating in lotteries as "a bunch of crazy fools." Generational and moral conflict over the practice of lottery results due to the different perception of readers. The year 1948 was the post-war era (World War II) and this may have influenced the culture in relation to capital punishment. Tessie Hutchinson plays a significant role showing hypocrisy and human weakness. Protesting the lottery when his family is in danger, he complains ironically and shouts at Mr. Summers, "You didn't give him enough time to get all the papers he wanted. It wasn't fair!" (p. 247). His statement about the fairness of the lottery is ironic because until his family was selected, he does not seem to believe that Shirley Jackson also demonstrates the power of conformity, as none of the people protest or question the ritual calling it inhumane,