Trifles | Exercise With Summary | Grade 11 | English
0Summary
"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell revolves around the investigation of a murder in a rural Iowa farmhouse. The story begins with the arrival of County Attorney Henry Peters, Sheriff Lewis Hale, and their wives, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, at the Wright family home. They are there to investigate the murder of Mr. Wright, whose body was discovered the previous night.
The women explore the kitchen and discover various details that suggest Mrs. Wright's emotional state. Mrs. Hale notices that the birdcage is empty and concludes that Mrs. Wright must have been fond of birds, suggesting her longing for freedom. They also find a quilt with an uneven pattern, indicating Mrs. Wright's distracted state of mind.
Meanwhile, the men focus on the murder weapon, a rope found near Mr. Wright's body. They dismiss the significance of the household items as mere "trifles," but the women's observations lead them to believe that Mrs. Wright may not be as innocent as they initially thought. The play ends with Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale deciding to withhold certain evidence from the men, believing that it will protect Mrs. Wright.
Questions and Answers
a. Do you believe that Mrs. Wright killed her husband? Explain.
There is strong evidence to suggest that Mrs. Wright killed her husband. The empty birdcage, the uneven quilt pattern, and her nervous behavior all hint at her guilt. Additionally, the fact that the women hide evidence from the men implies that they believe Mrs. Wright is responsible for the murder.
b. Do you think Mr. Wright’s death would have been uncovered if Mr. Hale hadn’t stopped by the Wrights’ home?
It is unlikely that Mr. Wright's death would have been uncovered if Mr. Hale hadn't stopped by. The men were focused on the murder weapon and dismissed the significance of the household items. Without the women's observations, Mrs. Wright's guilt may have gone undetected.
c. Why does Mrs. Hale think that Mrs. Wright’s worries about her preserves indicate her innocence?
Mrs. Hale believes that Mrs. Wright's worries about her preserves indicate her innocence because it shows that she is still capable of caring for others. She sees Mrs. Wright's concern for her preserves as a sign that she is not a cold-blooded killer.
d. How does Mrs. Peters’ homesteading experience connect her to Mrs. Wright?
Mrs. Peters' homesteading experience connects her to Mrs. Wright because she understands the challenges that women face in isolated rural communities. She recognizes that Mrs. Wright's loneliness and isolation may have contributed to her actions.
e. How do the women’s perspectives on men differ?
The women's perspectives on men differ significantly from those of the men in the play. The women are more sympathetic to Mrs. Wright and understand the pressures she faces as a wife and homemaker. They are also more willing to see beyond the surface of events and consider the emotional factors that may have led to the murder.
i. Who does ‘she’ refer to?
‘She’ refers to Mrs. Wright.
ii. What does the word ‘one’ stand for?
The word ‘one’ stands for a bird.
iii. What is the full form of “s’pose”?
The full form of “s’pose” is “suppose”.
iv. What do you mean when Mrs. Hale says, “the cat got it”?
When Mrs. Hale says, “the cat got it”, she means that the cat may have killed the bird.
i. Why does Mrs. Hale refer to Mrs. Wright as “Minnie Foster”?
Mrs. Hale refers to Mrs. Wright as “Minnie Foster” because that was her maiden name.
ii. What does her description tell you about Mrs. Wright?
Her description tells us that Mrs. Wright used to be a lively and carefree young woman.
iii. What does Mrs. Hale mean by “that was thirty years ago”?
Mrs. Hale means that it has been a long time since Mrs. Wright was the carefree young woman she used to be.
c. What is the main theme of the play?
The main theme of the play is the oppression of women in a patriarchal society.
d. Discuss the symbolism used in the play.
The play uses several symbols to represent the oppression of women. The empty birdcage symbolizes Mrs. Wright's desire for freedom. The uneven quilt pattern symbolizes the disruption of her domestic life. The bird that flew out of the cage symbolizes Mrs. Wright's attempt to break free from her oppressive situation.
e. Discuss the setting of the play. Does it have an impact on the theme of the play?
The play is set in a rural Iowa farmhouse. The isolated setting reinforces the theme of the play by highlighting the oppression of women in rural communities.