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 in "The Lottery" had decided to speak up before the ritual began, it is likely that they would have faced backlash and opposition from the rest of the community. The townspeople in the story are shown to be deeply rooted in their belief in the tradition of the lottery, and any dissenting voices would have been seen as challenging their way of life.
The person who spoke up may have been ostracized or even punished by the community for going against tradition. They may have been met with hostility, or even faced consequences such as being removed from the village or subjected to violence.
Overall, it is unlikely that speaking up before the ritual began would have changed the outcome of the lottery, as the townspeople seem to be determined to follow through with the tradition no matter what.