9.3: Interpreting a Source Text: A Production of Trifles
Question 11 • MO-English Language Arts 11 B-CR
Read the following scene from Trifles.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes, but I would like to see what you take, Mrs. Peters, and keep an eye out for anything that might be of use to us. MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson. (The women listen to the men’s steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.) MRS. HALE. I’d hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. (She arranges the pans under sink which the Lawyer had shoved out of place.) MRS. PETERS. Of course it’s no more than their duty. MRS. HALE. Duty’s all right, but I guess that deputy sheriff that came out to make the fire might have got a little of this on. (Gives the roller towel a pull.) Wish I’d thought of that sooner. Seems mean to talk about her for not having things slicked up when she had to come away in such a hurry. A possible advantage of hearing this scene, as opposed to reading it silently, is that
Answer
A
readers can better visualize what each of the characters looks like.
B
trivial lines of dialogue can be skipped without causing confusion.
C
various sound effects can be used to create or enhance the mood.
D
different lighting techniques can be used to heighten the conflict.
Explanation
Hearing the scene allows sound effects—such as footsteps on the stairs, a door closing, or the women handling the pans and towel—to help create the setting and mood. That advantage is described by choice C, “various sound effects can be used to create or enhance the mood.” Hearing dialogue does not by itself reveal what the characters look like, and lighting is a visual technique.
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