The Possibility of Evil Character Analysis

Miss Adela Strangeworth

Miss Strangeworth is an old woman who has lived in the same house her entire life. She feels protective of her community and regularly worries about the possibility of evil things happening in it. In… read analysis of Miss Adela Strangeworth

Helen Crane

Helen Crane is married to Don Crane and mother to a baby girl. She talks to Miss Strangeworth outside the grocery store. Miss Strangeworth chastises her for spoiling her daughter and tells her she… read analysis of Helen Crane

Don Crane

Don Crane is married to Helen Crane and father to a baby girl. He only appears by name in the story, but Miss Strangeworth addresses the letter calling the Crane child an idiot to… read analysis of Don Crane

Dave Harris

Dave Harris is a young man who is dating Linda Stewart. Miss Strangeworth is distrustful of him and writes to Linda’s parents to warn them of the relationship. Near the end of the story… read analysis of Dave Harris

Linda Stewart

Linda Stewart is a young woman who is seeing Dave Harris. Miss Strangeworth overhears Linda telling Dave that he has a “dirty mind,” although Dave claims to not know what she is talking about… read analysis of Linda Stewart

The Crane Baby

The Crane baby is the female child of Don and Helen Crane. Helen refers to her as a princess and insists on spoiling her, much to the chagrin of Miss Strangeworth. Helen also… read analysis of The Crane Baby

Minor Characters

Mr. Lewis

Mr. Lewis is a grocer with whom Miss Strangeworth exchanges pleasantries. Miss Strangeworth thinks he seems distracted and chides him for not reminding her to buy tea. Later, it is revealed that she had previously written Mr. Lewis a letter accusing his grandson of stealing from his shop.

Miss Strangeworth’s Grandfather

Miss Strangeworth’s deceased grandfather built the Strangeworth residence, which was the first house on Pleasant Street.

Miss Strangeworth’s Grandmother

Miss Strangeworth’s deceased grandmother is responsible for planting the roses that populate the Strangeworth residence.

Mrs. Martha Harper

Mrs. Harper is a woman Miss Strangeworth runs into at the grocery store. Miss Strangeworth notices that Mrs. Harper is getting older and wonders whether she is taking care of her health. Later, Miss Strangeworth writers Mrs. Harper a letter that claims Mrs. Harper’s husband is having an affair.

Billy Moore

Billy is a boy Miss Strangeworth briefly talks to while she is out running errands. She asks him why he isn’t riding around in his father’s convertible.

Billy Moore’s Father

Billy’s father is a chemistry teacher who owns a shiny convertible car. Miss Strangeworth thinks about writing to the school board about him but decides against it.

Miss Chandler

Miss Chandler is the local librarian whom Miss Strangeworth talks to briefly while running errands. Miss Strangeworth had previously sent her a letter warning her that the man she is seeing, Mr. Shelley, may have murdered his wife.

Mr. Shelley

Mr. Shelley is a character who only appears by name. At one point he was seeing Miss Chandler, although it is unclear whether their relationship is still intact after he is accused of murder in one of Miss Strangeworth’s letters.

Linda Stewart’s Parents

Linda’s parents are recipients of a letter from Miss Strangeworth that warns them of the relationship forming between Dave Harris and their daughter Linda. Linda’s father has told her to stay away from Dave as a result of the letter.

Mrs. Foster

Mrs. Foster is an old woman Miss Strangeworth sends one of her letters to. The letter warns Mrs. Foster that her doctor might botch her upcoming operation.