From the onset of the story "The Possibility of Evil," it is clear that something is wrong in the town. Even though Miss Strangeworth lives on Pleasant Street and the day the story opens is beautiful and sunny, the characters in this tale appear worried and upset by something. As Miss Strangeworth makes her rounds around town, she notices that Mr. Lewis looks "worried" and that Mrs. Harper's "hand shook." In fact, many people have been "disturbed lately."

As the story progresses, the reader becomes aware that Miss Strangeworth has been writing anonymous letters stirring up the evil, darker side of human nature. Strangeworth believes that "people everywhere were lustful, evil, and degraded." Through her accusatory evil letters, she has turned the people of the town against each other. However, ironically, at the end of the story, the tables are turned. She receives a letter informing her about the destruction of her precious roses. Her belief in the wicked nature of people has been confirmed.