Rhoda Penmark is a fictional character from the 1954 novel "The Bad Seed" by William March. She is portrayed as a charming and seemingly innocent young girl who harbors a dark secret. Rhoda exhibits manipulative behavior and a disturbing lack of empathy, leading to tragic consequences for those around her. In the story, Rhoda's actions raise questions about nature versus nurture, as her behavior is linked to her mother, Christine Penmark, who struggles with the implications of her daughter's malevolence. The character has become iconic in discussions of child psychology and morality in literature.