person's head surrounded by envelopes connected by a rose vine that spirals into the person's brain and at the other end blooms into a rose surrounded by lost petals

The Possibility of Evil

by Shirley Jackson

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The Possibility of Evil

The setting of "The Possibility of Evil" is a small, seemingly idyllic town. The story takes place primarily on Pleasant Street, where the main character, Miss Strangeworth, lives. Despite the town's...

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The Possibility of Evil

The main conflict in "The Possibility of Evil" takes place within Miss Strangeworth. She is unable to integrate her negative feelings into her psyche and so expresses them in destructive ways through...

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The Possibility of Evil

"The Possibility of Evil" uses several literary devices. It follows a standard plot arc and uses a third-person omniscient point of view, which presents Miss Strangeworth in a favorable light. The...

3 educator answers

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth is perceived by others in town as a kind and respectable older woman. She is well-regarded and seen as a pillar of the community, known for her beautiful roses and polite demeanor....

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The Possibility of Evil

The title "The Possibility of Evil" suggests that seemingly ordinary and respectable individuals can harbor malevolent tendencies. It implies that evil can exist beneath the surface of everyday life,...

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The Possibility of Evil

The climax of "The Possibility of Evil" occurs when Miss Strangeworth accidentally drops one of her poison pen letters, which is picked up and delivered by the Harris boy. This moment is climactic...

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The Possibility of Evil

In Shirley Jackson's "The Possibility of Evil," roses symbolize Miss Strangeworth's dual nature and the facade she maintains. The roses, planted by her grandmother, represent her family's legacy and...

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The Possibility of Evil

The foreshadowing in "The Possibility of Evil" is Miss Strangeworth’s obsession with her prized roses. She treats these family heirlooms with more respect and love than she treats other people in her...

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The Possibility of Evil

The punishment that Miss Strangeworth receives at the end of the story could be viewed as appropriate because it is aimed directly at her roses, the thing she cares for most in the world. This echoes...

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The Possibility of Evil

The mood in "The Possibility of Evil" is one of underlying tension and unease. Although the setting appears serene and pleasant, the protagonist’s secret actions create an atmosphere of suspense and...

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The Possibility of Evil

In Shirley Jackson's "The Possibility of Evil," Miss Strangeworth's name signifies her dual nature and foreshadows her malicious actions. The "strange" in her name suggests her unusual behavior,...

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth's self-betrayal and exposure occur when she accidentally drops one of her anonymous letters, which is then delivered to its intended recipient, revealing her as the author. This...

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The Possibility of Evil

In "The Possibility of Evil," the main character is Miss Adela Strangeworth, a long-time resident of a small town who interacts with various townspeople. These include Mr. Lewis, the grocer; Mrs....

2 educator answers

The Possibility of Evil

"The Possibility of Evil" teaches us that human nature often hides a darker side beneath a seemingly benevolent exterior. Miss Strangeworth, who appears to be a kind old lady, secretly writes harmful...

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The Possibility of Evil

In "The Possibility of Evil," the letters symbolize the angry and negative emotions that Miss Strangeworth has long repressed.

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The Possibility of Evil

It is reasonable to assume that Don Crane destroys Miss Strangeworth's roses, because he is the recipient of the letter she drops outside the post office.

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth views her neighbors with condescension and sees herself as a moral guardian for her town. She feels superior and believes it is her duty to alert others to potential evil, despite...

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth perceives Mr. Lewis as a dutiful but somewhat simple-minded grocer. She remembers him as a high school classmate and now sees him as merely the town's grocery store owner,...

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The Possibility of Evil

The narrative point of view in "The Possibility of Evil" is omniscient, primarily focusing on Miss Strangeworth. This perspective allows readers to observe her actions and thoughts while maintaining...

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The Possibility of Evil

A quote that initially suggests Miss Strangeworth is a nice lady is when she "stepped daintily along Main Street" and "knew everyone in town," often greeting people and asking about their health....

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth does not realize her wrongdoing in "The Possibility of Evil." She views her actions as a moral duty, believing she is protecting the town from evil. Despite her awareness of the...

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The Possibility of Evil

The rising action in Shirley Jackson's "The Possibility of Evil" involves the gradual revelation of Miss Adela Strangeworth's true nature. Initially perceived as a kind, elderly woman, subtle hints...

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth sends nasty letters to people in her town because she feels it is her duty to alert people to the possible "evil lurking" nearby. She is shocked by the amount of evil she believes...

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth does not understand the harm she is causing. In fact, she thinks that by writing her nasty and hateful letters, she is doing good by alerting the town residents to the evil that...

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth feels justified in the trouble she caused Linda and Dave, believing her actions were correct. She overhears their conversation and interprets it as confirmation of her suspicions,...

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The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth mails her letters at night because she does not want anyone to know that she is their author. In addition to writing with childlike block print and not signing her name, she...

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The Possibility of Evil

"The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson critiques society's tendency to judge based on appearances and assumptions. The protagonist, Miss Strangeworth, appears respectable but secretly spreads...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

The green letter sent to Miss Strangeworth was from Don Crane. After realizing that Miss Strangeworth wrote a derogatory letter about his child, Don retaliated by destroying her rose bushes and...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Don Crane sent the poison pen letter to Miss Strangeworth and destroyed her roses. After Miss Strangeworth accidentally dropped a poison pen letter addressed to Don Crane at the post office, a boy...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

The secret activity of Miss Strangeworth writing anonymous, malicious letters is discovered when she accidentally drops one outside the post office. A boy named Dave Harris finds it and delivers it...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth shows nosiness when she listens to a conversation between Linda Stewart and Dave Harris at the post office. She eavesdrops to confirm her suspicions about their relationship, which...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

In "The Possibility of Evil," the initial atmosphere of calm and normalcy contrasts sharply with the shocking revelation at the end. This juxtaposition emphasizes the hidden darkness beneath the...

4 educator answers

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth lies about what happens in her town precisely because she considers it to be "her" town. She is possessive in her attitude towards the town and its inhabitants, and she wants to...

2 educator answers

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth observes that many people in the town seem disturbed, unaware that her own poison-pen letters are the cause. Her letters, intended ironically to be helpful, create suspicion and...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth's use of a dull pencil and childish handwriting in "The Possibility of Evil" signifies her malicious yet covert nature. Although she appears sweet and concerned, she secretly writes...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth is initially characterized as a sweet, elderly woman who lives a simple life in a small town, taking an interest in the welfare of others. Her routine includes daily walks, grocery...

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The Possibility of Evil

Dave Harris decides to deliver Miss Strangeworth's letter to Don Crane instead of putting it in the mail, because he thinks that the letter might contain some "good news" for the Cranes. It's a kind...

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The Possibility of Evil

It is ironic that Miss Strangeworth lives on Pleasant Street, because she is terribly unpleasant.

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The Possibility of Evil

We know that people who feel injured or unhappy themselves can lash out at others in unfair ways. Added to this, there is a quality called schadenfreude, a German term that means enjoying the...

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The Possibility of Evil

Shirley Jackson creates a positive image of her main character at the beginning of "The Possibility of Evil" by giving her the characteristics of a harmless, sweet, little old lady, which is the...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

In "The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson, the Harris boy believes he is doing Miss Strangeworth a favor by delivering her dropped letter to Don Crane because he assumes it contains good news...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth's main motivation is not to address a moral dilemma but to express her repressed anger and aggressive feelings towards her neighbors. She hides her true motives by telling herself...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth feels pride about her family background, her town, and her roses. She also feels a sense of ownership and superiority due to her family background, as well as resentment towards...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth tricks others with her appearance by presenting herself as a prim, proper, and well-groomed elderly lady, projecting a false sense of respectability. Her tidy home and famed roses...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth's town is depicted as clean, orderly, and well-maintained. Descriptions include a "washed and bright" look after rain, Miss Strangeworth's "washed white" house and neat garden, and...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

The surprising facts about Miss Strangeworth are her ownership of a beautiful rose garden and her reputation as a sweet, caring elderly woman. These are incongruous because her garden's beauty...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Strangeworth's mistake is her arrogant belief that she can send anonymous, critical letters without facing consequences. She sees herself as the town's moral guardian due to her family's...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Helen Crane shares her fears about her daughter with Miss Strangeworth because she perceives the older woman as a trustworthy and sympathetic confidant. Miss Strangeworth's seemingly friendly...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

Miss Adela Strangeworth is the protagonist of "The Possibility of Evil," an elderly woman who has lived her entire life in her hometown. Proud of her family's legacy, she tends to her prized roses, a...

1 educator answer

The Possibility of Evil

"The Possibility of Evil" reflects social issues like bullying and generational value clashes. Miss Strangeworth's malicious letters exemplify bullying's harmful effects, as seen in Mrs. Harper's...

1 educator answer