Final answer:
The conflict in the short story "The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson is the internal struggle of the main character, Miss Strangeworth, as she grapples with the consequences of her secret malicious actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conflict of the short story "The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson is the internal struggle of the main character, Miss Strangeworth. She is a seemingly sweet and kind old woman who takes pleasure in secretly spreading malicious gossip and planting poisonous letters in her town.
The conflict arises when Miss Strangeworth's hidden actions start to have consequences that threaten her reputation and relationships within the community. She must confront her own moral dilemma and decide whether to continue her harmful behavior or face the potential fallout.
As the story unfolds, the conflict intensifies as Miss Strangeworth grapples with the consequences of her actions and the possibility of evil lurking within herself.