The Possibility or Evil - Shirley Jackson

Biography

        Born in San Francisco, California, Shirley Jackson was born on December 14, 1919 and died on August 8, 1965. Shirley Jackson graduated from Syracuse University in 1940 and in her life, wrote short stories, novels and children's books. Her most famous book is "The Lottery" .
Symbol

In a world of darkness and evil, a rose remains pure.

Response 

1.) What do you think the story is saying about crime and criminals? Do you agree?

- I think the story is saying that the people you might think they are doing the right thing but in case are really starting the crime in their society. And i agree. Some people hate crime and wish they could get rid of it but the smallest things like bullying or gossiping can start the crimes that people commit.

2.) Do you think that we will be able to create a society that s crime free?

- No. There are only  few ways to get rid of crime and one of the major factors is having everyone involved. No matter how hard we try it only takes one person to get angry enough to start a fight.

3.)What is Miss Strangeworth trying to accomplish by sending her letters?

- I feel as if she is trying to get out her gossip without directly causing problems associated with herself. She sends the letters in confidence so the gossip line wont come back to the person who is causing it. she wants people to think about the bad things she sees and hear but she doesn't want anyone talking about her as "evil".

Critisism

1. Why do you think the author wrote the text?
- I think the author wrote the text to tell us how the smallest things we do can start major conflict in life. And how we may be what we hate so much.

2. What does the author want you to think?
- The author wants us to think about the evil she sees in her town.

3. Do you belong to any of the groups in the text?
- Yes, I think sometimes he things i talk about as wrong, are the things i do without thinknig about it. Simple things like calling someone a name or gossiping.

4. Does the story remind you of a real life event?
- Not exactly the way it is told in the story, but once i heard a rumour about some other girl and i chose to believe it and not thinknig i started talking to other people about it and spread it by accident. Later on that person i was talknig about figured out i had been talknig about her and started a rumour about me.

5. Does the story remind you of another book or movie on a similar topic?
- I have read so many books and watched so many movies that i can't think of one particular movie or book that reminds me of this story.

6. How does the story help you think about social issues and social justice?
- This makes me think about what i do that might have been considered "Evil".

7. What action might you take from what you have learned?
- I think now that i have read this story i watch what i say and do more than i used to.

8. What big question has this text left you with?
- Do I do some of the things i hate most about other people?