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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. What character in the play is based on the real-life figure of John Hossack?

2. Who does Henry Peters tell that they will be right out as he goes into the other room with George Henderson?

3. What word in the narrative means to find fault with?

4. What does Mr. Hale say he thinks he hears someone say when he knocks a second time on the Wrights’ door?

5. Which of the following is a recurring motif in Trifles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What indication does Mrs. Wright give in front of Mr. Henderson that Mr. Wright is unpleasant?

2. What scene does Mrs. Hale recreate for Mrs. Wright after the men have exited upstairs?

3. What condescending comments are made of the women as the men first disappear upstairs?

4. What happens after Mr. Hale finishes his story of the previous day's events?

5. How does Mrs. Hale defend the suspect's dirty kitchen? What does Mr. Henderson regard this to be?

6. What causes Mr. Hale to backtrack in his description of Mrs. Wright's demeanor in his interview with the County Attorney?

7. What leads the women to discover the pretty box in Mrs. Wright's sewing basket?

8. What does Mrs. Peters say in response to Mrs. Hale berating herself for not visiting Minnie?

9. What is strange about the choice of weapon used in the murder? What do the women remark about it?

10. What memory of brutal loss does Mrs. Peters share from her childhood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the symbolism of the bird cage, the pretty box, and the dead canary. What is represented by each item? How do these symbols reflect the play’s themes? How do they help develop the tone of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Trifles contains several important symbols. What are some of the important symbols in Trifles? How does Glaspell use these symbols to propel the plot and convey deeper levels of meaning about her characters or themes?

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?

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