“The Possibility of Evil” Literary Elements

Characterization Two types: –Indirect: You learn about the character by making inferences and/or judgments What the character says/does What other characters say about that character “Miss Strangeworth always used a dull pencil when she wrote her letters; and she printed them in a childish block print” (Jackson 177). –Direct: the narrator directly tells you about the character. “Miss Strangeworth hated sloppiness” (Jackson 176).

Irony In general, Irony is a form of contrasts 3 types: –Dramatic: You know something that the characters do not –Situational: Something unexpected happens –Verbal: What is said is different than what is meant. Ex: Strangeworth’s “payback”- situational irony

Foreshadowing The author gives little clues about what is going to happen in the story. Often, when you re-read a story, the foreshadowing is more apparent.

Setting/Mood Setting: when/when the story takes place Mood: the atmosphere/emotions a story evokes Often, the setting can affect the mood, such as when a scary movie is set at night and in the rain, or a love story is set in spring.

Symbol Symbol: A person, place, activity, or object that stands for something beyond itself. As you read, think about what the roses may stand for.