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

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

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

4. What sentence was the murder suspect given for the murder of John Hossack?

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 tell Mr. Hale about who murdered her husband? Who has she notified of his death?

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

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

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

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

6. How does the theme of guilt apply to Mrs. Hale?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define and analyze the theme of female loyalty in the narrative. What actions of the women reinforce this theme? Are their actions driven by the male characters? 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 character of Mrs. Peters and her relationship to the other characters. What are some of Mrs. Peters’ characteristics? What is Mrs. Peters' objective in the story? What actions does the author commit to forward those objectives?

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