“The Possibility of Evil” Shirley Jackson

“My family has lived here for better than a hundred years “My family has lived here for better than a hundred years. My grandmother planted these roses, and my mother tended them, just as I do. I’ve watched my town grow…” (25-26)

Text Opener How do you define “evil?” If you suspect that someone is going to do something evil, what responsibility do you have to prevent it? or Why do people sometimes enjoy saying bad things behind other people’s backs? What’s the best way to respond to a person who does this?

Sharing Questions Write two sharing questions you can discuss with your small group. These are questions you have about the short story from the first reading. They can be about vocabulary, what happened in the story, or anything that left you wondering. Discuss them thoroughly with your group, and in your notebook write the question someone else asked that interests you the most.

E = Miss Strangeworth seems evil. Guided Notes Contrasting ideas E = Miss Strangeworth seems evil. NE = Miss Strangeworth does not seem evil.

Shared Inquiry Discussion Interpretive Questions Why does Miss Strangeworth send anonymous letters? Evidence from the text to support your thinking (include page & par.): Are we meant to think that Miss Strangeworth believes she is doing good by sending letters?

Writing After Discussion Was the destruction of Miss Strangeworth’s roses justified? or What is the best way to respond to someone who spreads rumors? Discuss your writing in your small group.