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

3. What character did Susan Glaspell portray in the original production of Trifles?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Wright do when Mr. Hale attempts to make small talk?

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

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

4. When and where was Trifles first performed?

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

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

7. How is the kitchen staging set up? Where are the entrances and exits?

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

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

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

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

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 foreshadowing from the opening scene in the narrative. What clue does the reader gain for future events in the story? How does the author highlight foreshadowing?

(see the answer keys)

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