1. The town is small, quiet, and close-knit. Jackson chose this setting to show that even in a place that looks safe and friendly, hidden evil can still exist.
2. Most people see Miss Strangeworth as a polite, proper old lady. They respect her, but they don’t realize she secretly causes trouble.
3. She writes the letters because she believes it is her duty to warn others. At the same time, she enjoys the power of judging people and controlling the town.
4. The revenge at the end was not fully justified, because destroying her roses was still an act of cruelty. But it was appropriate, since it showed that her own harm came back to her.
5. I feel a little pity for her because she lost something important to her. However, I don’t feel too sorry because she hurt many innocent people.
6. Jackson may have wanted to show that ordinary people can hide cruelty behind respectability, and that gossip and suspicion can damage a whole community.
7. I agree it is still relevant. Today, people sometimes use anonymous social media posts to spread rumors and cause pain, just like Miss Strangeworth used her letters.