The Possibility Of Evil Analysis

The Possibility of Evil

Karma comes in two ways, good karma or bad karma. However Miss Strangeworth got the worst kind ever, revenge karma. In the short story, The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson, it is clear that judging others can result to bad karma, because she judges her town, and consequences return the favor. She is shallow and has too much power, however it starts with judgement. The Possibility of Evil takes us through a journey of a selfish woman and her consequences.

Miss Strangeworth lived in the town believing if someone isn’t perfect, like she is, she can judge them. On page three paragraph seven the story states, “Many people seemed disturbed recently, Miss Strangeworth thought.” This shows how she is judging her close neighbors, that she seems so friendly too. That is because she believes she is better than them so she has the right to criticize them. On page four paragraph two, Miss Strangeworth wrote

a letter to her friend that says, “DIDN’T YOU EVER SEE AN IDIOT CHILD BEFORE? SOME PEOPLE JUST SHOULDN’T HAVE CHILDREN SHOULD THEY?” The author uses all caps to put emphasis on her letters. This shows Miss Strangeworth is not only judgemental but rude.

Some people might believe the theme to The Possibility of Evil is having too much power can make you narcissistic, however there is not that much evidence supporting their theory. All though the article says on page one paragraph three, “...sometimes found herself thinking the town belonged to her.” This does prove she is narcissistic by believing the town was hers. Also, this shows she thinks she has more power over anyone. They forget in the text it says, “That little girl is going to grow up expecting luxury all her life.” This illustrates she is willing to judge her friends to their faces. Which proves she isn’t nice and karma should be coming her way. Therefore, some believe the theme has to do with selfishness, but the clear theme shows judgement.

When Miss Strangeworth makes these actions, consequences appear.

On page six paragraph three, the paper shows her neighbors arguing, Miss Strangeworth listening to confidential things. Afterwards, she writes a mean letter to them, and her neighbor wasn’t to happy about the letter. On page seven paragraph four, a new letter, not written by Miss Strangeworth appeared. The unknown letter said, “LOOK OUT AT WHAT USED TO BE YOUR ROSES.” This illustrates the vengefulness her neighbor had, and her bad karma showing through. Now, her roses were destroyed by the people she judged. Furthermore, her actions lead to brutal karma.

In the story, The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson, has an upcoming theme of judging others can lead to bad karma. Miss Strangeworth is so bored of her perfect life, she rudely judges others. Even if she is narcissistic she tells others what to do more often. As her actions settle down, consequences rise up. In conclusion, the theme to The Possibility of Evil is judging others can lead to bad

karma.