What do you think would have happened if someone in the town in the lottery decided to speak up before the ritual began

If someone in the town had decided to speak up before the ritual began, it is likely that they would have faced strong opposition from the other community members who were invested in the tradition of the lottery. They may have been ridiculed, ostracized, or even punished for questioning or disrupting such an ingrained tradition.

However, if this person was able to articulate their concerns effectively and garner enough support from other town members, it is possible that the tradition of the lottery could have been challenged or even abolished altogether. This could lead to significant social and cultural upheaval within the town, as the residents grapple with the loss of a longstanding tradition and the implications of their actions on their community.