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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where was the theatrical collaboration that Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook formed originated?

2. According to the Introduction, who played the role of Henry Peters in the original production of Trifles?

3. In what year was John Hossack murdered?

4. As a founding member of a famous theatrical collaboration, Susan Glaspell arranged for the first ever reading of a play by what famed playwright?

5. According to the Introduction, during what years did Susan Glaspell work as a reporter for the Des Moines News?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Mr. Hale call inside after Mrs. Wright tells him Mr. Wright is dead? What did they find?

2. What does Mrs. Wright tell Mr. Hale about who murdered her husband? Who has she notified of his death?

3. What is revealed about the characters through their dialogue and language?

4. How is the Wright property described?

5. How is the theme of gender roles defined in the plot of the play?

6. How does Henry Peters begin the investigation after arriving at the Wright home? What does Mr. Henderson interrupt to ask?

7. When and where was Trifles first performed?

8. What does Mrs. Wright reply when Mr. Hale tells her that he wants to see Mr. Wright?

9. Upon what historic murder trial are the events in Trifles based?

10. What theatrical group did Susan Glaspell help found? Where was it originated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character of Mrs. Hale and her relationship to Mrs. Wright. How does Mrs. Hale know Mrs. Wright? Are they close? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the relationship between the women in the narrative. How does the relationship develop? Why do the women gain sympathy for Mrs. Wright through the second half of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the objectives of each character and the actions taken to achieve those objectives. What does Mr. Henderson want to find in the home? Why does he abandon the kitchen?

(see the answer keys)

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