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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the Introduction, who played the role of Henry Peters in the original production of Trifles?
(a) Robert Conville
(b) Preston Lorio
(c) Mark Whitburg
(d) James Harris

2. For how many months did Susan Glaspell cover the John Hossack murder case?
(a) 4
(b) 30
(c) 16
(d) 20

3. What sentence was the murder suspect given for the murder of John Hossack?
(a) Death by hanging
(b) Death by electric chair
(c) Life in prison
(d) 25 years in prison

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?
(a) Samuel Beckett
(b) Edward Albee
(c) Norman Mailer
(d) Eugene O’Neill

5. Who was accused of the murder of John Hossack?
(a) Sarah Hossack
(b) Margaret Hossack
(c) Emily Hossack
(d) Muriel Hossack

Short Answer Questions

1. Who portrayed Lewis Hale in the original production of Trifles?

2. According to the Introduction, where was Trifles first performed?

3. In what year was John Hossack murdered?

4. When did Susan Glaspell marry George Cram Cook?

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 goes for help after discovering Mr. Wright's body? What does Mr. Hale discuss with Mrs. Wright?

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

3. What does Mr. Hale respond when questioned about how Mrs. Wright appears when he arrives the previous day?

4. How was Susan Glaspell involved in the murder trial that she later based Trifles on? What were her feelings about the trial?

5. Why has Trifles been associated with feminist writing and theory?

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

7. When was Susan Glaspell inspired to write Trifles? Who encouraged her to write it and why?

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

9. How does Mrs. Hale recall Mrs. Wright? What can the reader/audience discern of Mrs. Wright’s character by Mrs. Hale’s recollections?

10. How does Mrs. Wright inform Mr. Hale of her husband's location and means of death?

(see the answer keys)

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