Biography: Shirley Jackson was born December 14, 1916 in San Fransico, California. Her best known short story is "The Lottery" which she wrote in 1948. It suggests the possibility of a secret and sinister underside to small-town America. She has influenced many of the writers today such as Stephen King and Richard Matheson. One of her later stories, the haunting of hill house is regarded by many, including Stephen King, as one of the more important horror stories of the 20th century. She died august 8th, 1965.
Response: 1. What is Miss Strangeworth trying to accomplish by sending her letters? Does she succeed?
Miss Strangeworth is trying to prevent possible crimes that may happen with her letters. When she believes that someone is about to do something they shouldn't, take more money from someone they should, or just something that in her eyes is wrong, she sends out one of her anonymous letters. And she did succeed to an extent. She prevented what she believed might turn into a crime through blackmail. She said things about people that she shouldn't know. She sent letters to people to make them think about it. She made them ask questions. And in doing this, they discovered secrets and she stopped evil.
2. how would you describe the stories atmosphere at the beginning? How does this atmosphere help to emphasize the ending?
It starts off, seemingly like a completely average town filled with friendly people. Even miss Strangeworth seems friendly and shows off her roses though she never sells them. She sometimes thinks about a time before know, which often people do. I believe this helps to emphasize the ending in that it reveals the fact that evil can exist anywhere and it exists everywhere. Even in this perfectly peaceful town with few troubles and Miss Strangeworth doing all she can to prevent evil, even if she is going about it wrong.
3. Why don't people ignore the letters they receive? If you received one of Miss Strangeworth's letters, what would you do?
I think that the reason people don't ignore the letters is because it may spark their curiosity or fears. Some who receive these letters may fear that their secrets are out or that the person who sent this accusing letter may start to spread rumors or reveal the truth about what they do. Some folks receive questions. It makes them want to know exactly whats going. And by what the letter says, they may become more or less interested in the situation. If I were to receive one of the letters, there is a good chance I wouldn't ignore at first. It would be gnawing away in the back of my mind, bothering me day after day. But eventually, I would forget about the harsh letter, and go about my business, whatever it may be.
6. Consider both Miss Strangeworth's anxiety about evil and the final crime in the story. Do youu think humans will ever be able to create a crime free society?
I do not believe that we will ever have or be able to create a crime free society.
You cannot change human nature. Whenever someone has something more, or something in a larger quantity of someone else, that person will feel greed. Emotions control us easily, causing us to commit crimes of hate, passion and depression. These are the things that may us commit crimes. Everyone has at least a little evil in them. Whether you are a pope or a construction worker, you're only human.
i) Why do you think the author wrote the text?
I believe the author wrote this short story to make us think about our own society. Is there evil everywhere?
ii) What does the author want you to think?
The author wants us to think that no matter how nice,friendly or average your neighbourhood may be, there is always the possibility of evil there.
iii) Do you belong to any of the groups in the text?
I would probably be a person like don crane or one of the other people who have experienced a letter from miss Strangeworth. An average person who is being accused of evil. A person who is afraid that their secret might get out or a person who wants to know the truth.
iv) Does the story remind you of a real-life event (your own or others)?
No it does not.
v) Does the story remind you of another book or movie on a similar topic?
I can't think of any, but there probably is one.
vi) How does the story help you think about social issues and social justice?
It reminds me that yes, evil can be anywhere and everywhere, even when it's caused with good intentions behind it.
vii) What action might you take from what you have learned?
I don't believe I'll act any different from the way I do now. This story doesn't change the way I view the world. I already knew that evil could exist anywhere.
viii) What big question has this text left you with?
Was miss Strangeworth right to do things the way she did?
WHIPPED CREAM POURIN' LIKE WATERFALLS!
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