In the short story 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the seemingly placid setting of a small town quickly devolves into a shocking ritual. The townspeople gather with a sense of normalcy, and the lottery is perceived as a communal event; however, beneath the surface lies a dark irony regarding tradition and human nature. Consider how Jackson employs this irony to critique social conformity.
Read the following excerpt from the narrative:
“It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,” Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.”
Based on the above context, which of the following best identifies an ironic element in the story?