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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. Who was accused of the murder of John Hossack?

2. For how many months did Susan Glaspell cover the John Hossack murder case?

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

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. When did Susan Glaspell marry George Cram Cook?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Hale describe when he knocks at the Wrights' door the previous day?

2. Why does Mr. Hale stop at the Wrights' property the previous day?

3. How does Trifles differ from episodic dramas or climactic plays?

4. What themes are central in the play? Which characters are the focus of the play?

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

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

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

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

9. How does Trifles reflect “local color” in its style and narrative?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of John Wright and different qualities that lead the reader to believe Mrs. Wright killed him. Is the murder justified given the circumstances? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Define and analyze the theme of guilt in the narrative. What character is racked with guilt and why? In what different ways does “guilt” apply to the story? Is Minnie Wright guilty? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the relationship between Sheriff Peters and Mrs. Peters in comparison to the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Hale. What are the similarities? What are the differences?

(see the answer keys)

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