Possibility of Evil

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Of the three short stories we have read this unit, one stands out as the best. The irony and reversal of expectations in The Possibility of Evil are what make it so interesting, shocking, strange, puzzling, and compelling. The author accomplished this by using a deceiving setting against a strong mood, applying effective symbolism, and creating an usual theme. The setting creates the perfect illusion of peace, which is then cleverly contradicted by the tense, suspenseful mood. The author describes; “Miss Adela Strangworth came daintily along Main Street on her way to the grocery. The sun was shining, the air was fresh and clear after the night’s heavy rain, and everything in Miss Strangworth’s little town looked washed and bright” (Jackson, 223). This heavy description of the town creates a perfectly cute setting and mood at the very beginning of the story. But once we experience her daily routine and her interaction and observation of people, the mood changes to become creepier. This conflicting mood soon proves that the setting is just another one of the illusions in the story. The reader then begins to see that the setting in fact contributes to the overall disturbing mood. The roses in The Possibility of Evil are an effective symbol for the perfection of the town which Miss Strangeworth is aiming for. She is extremely proud and possessive of her roses. The author includes; “Miss Strangeworth never gave away any of her roses, although the tourists often asked her” (Jackson, 223). This evidence proves that her actions are for her own enjoyment and need for control, not for the good of others. The beauty of the flowers symbolizes the illusion, while the hidden thorns symbolize the presence of evil in the town and in Miss Strangeworth herself. The reader concludes that Miss Strangeworth’s affection for her flowers is a parallel to her work towards controlling

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