The Elements of Fiction in "The Possibility of Evil".
The central idea in "The Possibility of Evil" is that people should not meddle in the business of others. This is demonstrated mainly by the conflict between Miss Strangeworth's judgmental attitude and the townspeople's reserved ways. While characterization offered of Miss Strangeworth helps the reader to better understand the conflict the ironic language used by the author adds to the readers understanding of her characterization. Additionally the point of view provides the all-knowing voice necessary to fully understand Miss Strangeworth's character. Lastly, the small town setting chosen for the story makes the conflict and resolution plausible. .
The saying "mind your own business" comes to mind several times while reading but it is only at the end of the story when it is made clear that Adela Strangeworth will not go on with her meddling ways any longer. It is mentioned many times in the story the pride which Adela has for her roses and because of this pride, though slightly extreme, the murder of her plants seems a fitting vengeance for her actions. The reader can infer that the revenge was taken by Don Crane, a father of six months, after receiving a letter naming his an "idiot child". This, the most insulting of Strangeworth's letters, is the one she fails to drop into the mail slot at the post office. The misplacement of this letter results in one of the town children delivering it by hand after seeing who dropped it. This method of delivery breaks the anonymity with which Adela had sent her letters in the past and sets up the ending. The resolution of the conflict is the main communicator of the central idea: not to meddle in other people's business.
Instrumental to the communication of the theme is the story's conflict. Miss Strangeworth feels it her duty to write anonymous letters that put unnecessary suspicion into the heads of their readers.
