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Character Analysis Miss Strangeworth

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Evil is lurking in every direction you turn; evidently and hidden. Although Miss Strangeworth appears as a kind old lady, she has a secret. She is a troubling elder that deliberately spreads false rumors to her neighbours. She “stirs the pot” by sending crude letters through the mail. This is proven throughout the story by Miss Strangeworth acting in a selfish manner. She is proud of the letters she writes and is forced to be secretive about it. Notably, Miss Strangeworth is a very self-centered lady. She does not want to hand over any of her possessions, as stated in the story: “Miss Strangeworth never gave away any of her roses, although the tourists often asked her.’” (Jackson 223). Miss Strangeworth believed that “The roses belonged on Pleasant street” (Jackson 223) …show more content…

As a matter of fact, Miss Strangeworth is delighted at the thought that the citizens would open her letters, when all they are intended to do, is make trouble. As stated in the text: “Miss Strangeworth awakened the next morning with a feeling of intense happiness [...] She remembered that this morning, three people would open her letters.” (Jackson 228). Miss Strangeworth should not be filled with “intense happiness” (Jackson 228) when thinking about how others will open her letters. Why should she be joyful that others lives will be negatively affected by her actions? Similarly, “Miss Strangeworth liked writing letters.” (Jackson 226) and thought nothing of her wrongdoings. Throughout the story, she attempted to convince herself that writing these letters was acceptable because her neighbours “would never have been aware of possible evil lurking nearby if Miss strangeworth had not sent them a letter” (Jackson 226). Miss strangeworth believes that it is her “duty to keep her town alert to it.” (Jackson 226), which proves that she considers herself doing good for the

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