Possibility+of+evil

“The Possibility of Evil” (Shirley Jackson) Response Package


 * 1) Describe the setting. A small town where everyone knows each other

2. Describe/discuss the character of Miss Adela Strangeworth. An old woman that doesn't like bad people in the world. Especially in her home town. She also cares for everything and everyone in her home town. And takes care of every thing with care

3. How long has Miss Strangeworth lived in her town? Discuss her ties to the town and infer how this makes her feel about her position there. She has lived there for 71 years (her age). She is an old woman that everyone would want to talk to. She thinks of her as a protecter from the evil in the city

4. Discuss how the town’s visitors respond to Miss Strangeworth’s roses. Explain how she responds. Some of the tourists would compliment on roses, and she would tell them about her family and how they found the old town. Some would ask if they could keep one, she didn't want them to because they go through weird streets, weird buildings and see weird people

5. Explain how the people in town react and respond to Miss Strangeworth. What do you think their impression of her is? Everyone would give a pleasant hello to her. and her friends would always have a nice quick conversation.

6. Discuss the relationship between Tommy Lewis and Miss Strangeworth and explain how that relationship has changed over the years. Infer what might have been the basis of the relationship. Then explain how and why it changed. when they were younger they both called each other by their first name. Now they both call each other Mr. or Mrs. They change because they both grew up and tommy has new responsibilities with his own store

7. Describe Ms. Harper as she reaches for her pocketbook. Explain what Mrs. Strangeworth thinks about Martha’s behavior. her hand shook lightly. She was wondering if she was taking care of her self.

8. Mrs. Strangeworth meets Helen Crane, the mother of a six month old infant, and Miss Chandler, the librarian. Discuss her interactions with them and her observations about them. with the crane family they had a good argument on Mrs. crane's infant and when she should start walking. With ms. Chandler, they talked about the new novels to be purchased for the library

9. There is a revealing statement (p. 215) about how the town views Miss Strangeworth. Explain what that is and why. The town was wondering how she keeps her house looking the way it did. The reason is that she always does what she wants to do at once

10. Explain the difference between the papers Miss Strangeworth uses to write letters. discuss the other ways in which these letters differ. They are in different colors except for white. everyone used them for notes or shopping lists.

11. Discuss the purpose of Miss Strangeworth’s letters. To tell people what they need to know

12. Why does Miss Strangeworth lie about the goings on in her town? as long as evil exists unchecked in the world, its her duty to keep the town alert

13. Explain what Miss Strangeworth sees as her role in the community. She think she is protector against evil in her town

14. After finishing the letters, Miss Strangeworth sets down to tea. discuss the irony of her thoughts after writing the letters. Explain Miss Strangeworth’s idea of “liv(ing) graciously” (218). Then, prove that she is not. She has a table that could fit 22 people, but she is the only person their. she thinks she is because her family's house is still up, but she isn't because she lives by her self.

15. Explain why Miss Strangeworth never suspects the children of laughing or mocking. What does this prove about her opinion of herself. It wouldn't be right for the kid's parents to laugh at miss Strangeworth. she thinks she is a important person in her town.

16. Miss Strangeworth overhears a conversation between Dave Harris and Linda Stewart. Discuss the content of the conversation and explain Miss Strangeworth’s role in it. its about dave and linda's personal life, and miss strangeworth had to listen to tell anyone that should know.

17. Miss Strangeworth thinks that there is “so much evil in people. Even in a charming little town like this one” (220). Explain what the evil is. this evil is peoples sins in their life.

18. Explain how the townspeople discover Miss Strangeworth’s role in the letters being sent to citizens. How do they get Miss Strangeworth back? The harris boy brought it to don crane and told them who sent them. they ruined mrs. strangeworths roses.

19. Examine the last __sentence__ of the story. How does Miss Strangeworth view her punishment? How does she view what she has done? Explain the irony of this. she views it as her most favorite thing taken away from her. She was always sending bad news to everyone, now everyone sent bad news to her.

20. Draw a detailed map, from an overhead perspective, of the town illustrated in the story.

Include:

The name of the town. Main Street The Grocery Pleasant St. Miss Strangeworth’s House Shanties on the low road Park Post Office Church Lumber Mill High School Library Soda Shop Newspaper Shop The Stewart House City Hall The Police Station The Fire Hall

The map needs to make sense according to the description given in the story. The map should be neat with all the landmarks clearly labeled. The map should be visually interesting.*