The Possibility of Evil

Use these activities to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity. 

ACTIVITY 1: “The Strange Town Trial of Miss Adela Strangeworth”

Your class will conduct a town trial to formally accuse Miss Adela Strangeworth and deal with the havoc she has created in the community. Your job will be to debate how culpable she is and how punishable her actions have been. During the trial, you will portray one of the characters from the chart below. After you choose a role or your teacher assigns one, return to the text to take notes on your character, noting any interactions they may have had with the defendant, Miss Strangeworth. The question at stake is: Should Miss Strangeworth be brought to justice? If so, what would that justice look like?

Character/Role in the Trial

Miss Adela Strangeworth/Defendant

Miss Strangeworth’s Attorney/Defense attorney

The Town Attorney/Prosecution

The Town Mayor/Judge Facilitates debate and metes out punishment if Miss Strangeworth is found guilty.

Mr. Lewis Accuser/Victim

Mrs. Harper Accuser/Victim

Don Crane Accuser/Victim

Helen Crane Accuser/Victim

Miss Chandler Accuser/Victim

Mrs. Foster Accuser/Victim

Billy Moore’s father Accuser/Victim

Linda Stewart Accuser/Victim/Witness

Linda Stewart’s father Accuser/Victim

Dave Harris Accuser/Victim/Witness

Court Stenographer/Note-Taker

Court Reporter/Notes Synthesizer

Jury/Decides the Verdict

Townspeople who respect the Strangeworth reputation