The Possibility of Evil,
By Shirley Jackson – page 249
A/ Define the following words on a separate piece of paper.
infatuated
lustful
indulgently
appropriation
translucent
degrade
B/ Please answer all of the following questions in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper.
1.
Do you think the title of the story is appropriate? Explain why or why not. If not, provide a more
appropriate title.
2. What lesson or lessons does the story teach about human nature?
3. State the narrative point of view of this story. How do you know?
C/ Respond to the following in groups of four. Each person should record all of your findings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
d)
Re-read the story now that you know the end. List all of the clues you find to suggest that Miss
Strangeworth is not a nice person.
List the words and phrases the author uses to create an atmosphere at the beginning of the story.
Reread the last page of the story. How does the end of the story compare with that of the
beginning? Explain your answer.
Analyse the significance of the following:
a) Miss Strangeworth’s name
b) Miss Strangeworth’s roses
c) The colour of her envelopes and writing paper
Discuss how each relates to the central theme of the story.
What is a strong theme statement for The Possibility of Evil?
Discuss the significance of the following lines:
a) “as long as evil existed in the world, it was Miss Strangelove’s duty to keep her town alert to
it.”
b) “this was, after all, her town, and these were her people; if one of them was in trouble she
ought to know about it.”
c) “She began to cry silently for the wickedness of the world when she read the words”
Choose a selection from the story and rewrite it in the 1 st person, from Miss Strangeworth’s point
of view. Which version do you find more effective? Why do you think Shirley Jackson selected
the narrative view point she did?