Reading Presentation - The Possibility of Evil

Preparatoria UANL no. 9 Group 430

The Possibility of Evil Shirley Jackson

*Natalia Daenna González Viera *Jorge Alberto Cantú Reyes *Miranda Inaara Flores Abrego *Karina Lizeth Limas Macías

Author (1916-1965), She was one of the most brilliant and influential authors of the twentieth century, is widely acclaimed for her stories and novels of the supernatural. She was born in San Francisco on December 14, 1916, and spent her childhood California,where she began writing poetry and short stories as a young teenager.

After 20 years, in 1936, she withdrew and spent a year at home practicing writing, producing a minimum of a thousand words a day.

Setting The story takes place in a small and old town, within where the most old person in there are the last of Strageworth´s family, an old woman known as Adela Strangeworth.

Background

“The possibility of Evil”, like many of Shirley Jackson’s stories, is set in a small town that seems peaceful and friendly, until its darker side is revealed. The idea that ordinary people are capable of great evil is a theme that is often repeated in Jackson’s writing.

Characters • • • • • • • • •

Miss Strangeworth Mr. Lewis Don and Helen Crane Mrs. Harper Billy Moore Miss Chandler Linda Stewart Harris boy Mrs. Foster

Summary of the Plot Miss Adela Strangeworth is an old woman that lives in a small and friendly town. She stoped to talk with people and with a single watch it the situation of their lives, and with the information about the other people says, he judge their lives and situations. Miss Strangeworth thought that making them know her inferences about the others, it will make them to reveal the truth, but she wasn’t right, and as consecuence, problems between the people in town starts to happening.

Storyboard

Literary Elements Similes:

”Old Lady Strangeworth’s getting deaf, like a falling leaf.”

“Miss Strangeworth took deep breaths and thought that there was nothing in the world like a fragrant summer day.”

Metaphors:

Conversational language:

(Jackson included in the story the informal, everyday language) ”Did I? Sorry.”

“Is that all, Miss Strangeworth?”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Lewis. Such a lovely day, isn’t it?”

Realistic dialogue:

(Jackson included in the story that kind of dialogue to give a realistic effect on it) ””Nonsense. All babies are different. Some of them develop much more quickly than others.”

“That’s what my mother says.” Helen Crane laughed, looking a little bit ashamed.

”How old is her highness now? (Miss Strangeworth is comparing the Crane’s baby to a princess) “She drew the shades, took the rose satin spread from the bed…” (Miss Strangeworth is comparing the color of the bedspread to the color of a rose)

Imagery:

” The sun was shining, the air was fresh and clear after the night’sheavy rain, and everything in Miss Strangeworth’s little town looked washedand bright.”

Reading Comprehension Strategy Summarizing Summarizing requires students to determine what is important in what they are reading. * Identify or generate main ideas * Connect the main or central ideas * Eliminate unnecessary information * Remember what they read

Rereading Readers need acknowledge when what they read has not made sense to them. * Reread the parts that you don’t understand.

Vocabulary Infatuated: It is an adjective that means extremely fond of.

Quill pen: It is an old fashioned pen made from a feather.

Degraded: It is an adjective meaning corrupted or dishonorable.

Translucent: It is an adjective that means allowing light to shine through.

Personal Reflection What we conclude about this reading is that people should not judge another people just because of what they see or suppose. Do not talking about what you think to other people without have had evidences, either.

All of this because of the obvious consequences for us, as the acclaimed “Karma�, or another one. For example, Strangeworth received as consequence the cutting off from her flowers.

If you are __________________, you will defend her against all negative remarks.

A _________________ in the hand, a piece of paper in front of me, Searching for some revival. ________________ water tank shows the water level in the tank.

Thanks to the introduction of indigo-growing, _______________ lands will recover fertility in a few years' time.

Vocabulary Activity

Who wrote �The Possibility of Evil�? _______________________________ What does Miss Strangeworth think about the town? (related to her) _______________________________ Why did Miss Strangeworth used to write letters anonymously? _______________________________ _______________________________

Comprehension Activity What was the most eye-catching from her house? ____________________________ How did Strangeworth feels when she read the letter at the end of the story?____________________