The Possibility of Evil Study Guide
Introduction to The Possibility of Evil
Shirley Jackson’s "The Possibility of Evil" was first published on December 18th, 1965, in the Saturday Evening Post, a few months after the author’s death; it went on to win the Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1966 for best mystery short story. Jackson's tale serves as a masterful study of the contrast between appearance and reality, incorporating literary devices such as foreshadowing and irony. The story follows Miss Adela Strangeworth, an elderly woman who considers it her duty to keep the residents of her small town informed of their own and their neighbors’ faults and transgressions. To this end, she sends “poison-pen letters” to the same people she greets politely in town—letters that remain anonymous until the recipient of a particularly cruel message discovers Miss Strangeworth’s secret and decides to exact revenge.
A Brief Biography of Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson (1916–1965) was an American writer whose name brings to most people's minds two words: “The Lottery.” This darkly ironic story has been sparking controversy since it was first published in the New Yorker in 1948, when hundreds of people wrote letters in response. Many were openly confused by the story, and some were downright abusive; Jackson has said that only about a dozen of the letters struck a positive note. Though “The Lottery” is striking, its success was a mixed blessing for Jackson. The sheer amount of attention given to that one story often overshadows the extensive body of work she produced, just as her work’s dark tone sometimes causes readers to overlook her literary merit. In addition to short stories, Jackson wrote novels, including The Haunting of Hill House (1959), which has been adapted for film, television, theater, and radio; and memoirs, including Life Among the Savages (1952).
Frequently Asked Questions about The Possibility of Evil
The Possibility of Evil
Why does Miss Strangeworth lie about what happens in her town?
Even at the beginning of "The Possibility of Evil," when Miss Strangeworth seems to be a relatively benign and harmless character, there is a faint foreshadowing of the truth when she tells...
The Possibility of Evil
What do the roses symbolize in "The Possibility of Evil"?
Miss Strangeworth is proud of the beautiful pink, red, and white roses that grow in her front yard and are often admired by outsiders. She won't let tourists have them, and when it is time to gives...
The Possibility of Evil
What is Miss Strangeworth's view of human nature?
Miss Strangeworth believes that human nature is essentially "evil." She sees herself as different from everyone else; she wishes to "live graciously," and so she is meticulous about her home's...
The Possibility of Evil
What is the foreshadowing in "The Possibility of Evil"?
In "The Possibility of Evil," Miss Strangeworth is particularly enamored with her roses, which have been in her family for generations. As the community busybody and self-appointed arbiter of...
The Possibility of Evil
Why does Miss Strangeworth send nasty letters?
Miss Strangeworth sends nasty letters because she is appalled by the apparent "evil" in the world around her. She feels that she has some responsibility, as the only and last Strangeworth left in...
The Possibility of Evil
Why does Miss Strangeworth not ask about Mr. Lewis?
There are several questions Miss Strangeworth does not ask Mr. Lewis when she gets to the front of the line in the grocery store. First, when he seems to her to look "worried" about a box of...
The Possibility of Evil
What is the main conflict in "The Possibility of Evil"?
The main conflict in "The Possibility of Evil" takes place within Miss Strangeworth's psyche. A strong desire to look perfect—to have the perfect house, garden, china, and silver, and to appear a...
The Possibility of Evil
Who destroys Miss Strangeworth's roses?
A group of children sees Miss Strangeworth dropping some letters in the post office slot at dusk. She is aware that it would not be a good idea to let anyone know that she is the person behind the...
The Possibility of Evil
What is the irony in "The Possibility of Evil"?
Miss Strangeworth is the descendant of her town's founders, has a beautiful rose garden on Pleasant Street, and acts as if she is full of kindness, caring, and supportive concern for all her...
The Possibility of Evil
Is Miss Strangeworth an evil person?
If evil is defined as engaging in behavior that is harmful and hurtful to other people and actively being deceptive, then Miss Strangeworth is evil. She writes poison-pen letters that spread false...
The Possibility of Evil
What do the letters symbolize in "The Possibility of Evil"?
The poison-pen letters Miss Strangeworth writes symbolize the anger and ugliness Miss Strangeworth has long repressed. Miss Strangeworth presents as a sweet, caring, dainty, and kindly older woman...
The Possibility of Evil
Why does Miss Strangeworth mail her letters at night?
In “The Possibility of Evil,” Miss Strangeworth—one of the town’s oldest residents and self-appointed barometer of morality—sends poison-pen letters to other residents she deems in need of advice,...
The Possibility of Evil
Why does Dave Harris decide to deliver Miss Strangeworth's letter himself instead of putting it in the mail?
Dave Harris decides to hand deliver Miss Strangeworth's letter to Don Crane, instead of putting it in the mail, because he seems to be a kind person who would do a favor for another person, despite...
The Possibility of Evil
Why does Miss Strangeworth stop and greet everyone?
Miss Strangeworth seems to stop and greet everyone, conducting little conversations on relatively trivial matters, in order to get ideas about where "evil" in her town might be lurking. She speaks...
The Possibility of Evil
What is the mood in "The Possibility of Evil"?
The story begins on a clear summer's morning in what seems to be a quiet, peaceful town. We are told that the sun is shining and that the air is "fresh and clear." We are also told that, because it...
The Possibility of Evil
How does Miss Strangeworth get caught?
Miss Strangeworth gets caught when she accidentally drops one of her colorful but nasty notes outside the post office. She goes to put her letters into the slot to be mailed the next day, and two...
The Possibility of Evil
Does Miss Strangeworth understand the harm she is causing?
In Shirley Jackson's "The Possibility of Evil," Miss Strangeworth leads a double life. She is a revered citizen in the town where she lives, a descendant of one of the town's original founders, but...
The Possibility of Evil
Where is "The Possibility of Evil" set?
In "The Possibility of Evil," Miss Strangeworth monitors and passes judgment on the lives of other people in her community. The short story’s setting is an unnamed small town. The action most...
The Possibility of Evil
Why is it ironic that Miss Strangeworth lives on Pleasant Street?
It is ironic that Miss Strangeworth lives on Pleasant Street, because she is extremely unpleasant herself. She feels that it is her responsibility to warn others about any potential "evil" that...
The Possibility of Evil
How does Miss Strangeworth feel about her family background, her town, and her roses?
Miss Strangeworth is proud of her family background. She is a descendant of one of the town founders. She asserts that "there wouldn't have been a town here at all" if not for her grandfather...
