English 11
Short Stories
"The Possibility of Evil"

Atmosphere: The atmosphere or mood of a story is the pervading feeling created by the story. Atmosphere usually sets up expectations in the reader about the outcome of an episode or plot. Atmosphere is created by dialogue and more often, by descriptive diction or imagery.

1) What is Miss Strangeworth trying to accomplish by sending out her letters? Does she
succeed? Explain.

2) How would you describe the story's atmosphere at the beginning? How does this
atmosphere help to emphasize the ending?

3) Why don't the people ignore the letters they receive? If you received one of Miss
Strangeworth's letters, what would you do? Write your own response and be prepared
to share it.

4) What are two interpretations you could give to the story's title?

5) Consider both Miss Strangeworth's anxiety about evil and the final crime in the story.
Do you think human beings will ever create a society that is crime-free?

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