"The Bad Seed" is a 1954 play written by Maxwell Anderson, based on the novel by William March. The story revolves around a seemingly perfect young girl named Rhoda Penmark, who is revealed to be a sociopath responsible for the deaths of several people. The play explores themes of nature versus nurture, morality, and the impact of evil. As the plot unfolds, Rhoda's mother, Christine Penmark, discovers her daughter's dark secret and struggles with the implications of her child's behavior. The tension builds as Christine grapples with her own past and the possibility that her daughter may inherit a violent legacy.