View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How many articles did Susan Glaspell write as a reporter that covered the John Hossack murder case?

2. What important theatrical collaboration did Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook found?

3. According to the Introduction, what weapon was used to kill John Hossack?

4. Who was accused of the murder of John Hossack?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What indicates the time period of the narrative?

2. What information does Mr. Hale reveal about Mr. Wright’s character through his interview with the Sheriff and County Attorney?

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

4. What genre does the play Trifles fall into? Why?

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

6. What passing comment of Mr. Hale's reveals information about the Wrights’ relationship?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 833 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample