Answers MS-English III BTrifles: The Rise of Modern Feminism on the Stage, Part 2

Interpreting a Source Text: A Production of Trifles Answers

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In part two of Trifles, how does Glaspell use irony to illustrate the idea that women were often seen as less capable than men in the early twentieth century?

She leads the men all over the Wright’s property to find clues, but leaves the women in the kitchen.

She makes Mrs. Peters appear to be afraid of breaking the law, but makes Mrs. Hale appear to be rebellious.

She emphasizes the trust that Hale and Mr. Peters have in their wives, but shows the wives plotting to upstage their husbands.

She suggests that Mrs. Wright may have been successful as a singer, but indicates that Mr. Wright was jealous of her possible success.

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In part two of Trifles, how does Glaspell use irony to illustrate the idea that women were often seen as less capable than men in the early twentieth century?

She leads the men all over the Wright’s property to find clues, but leaves the women in the kitchen.

She makes Mrs. Peters appear to be afraid of breaking the law, but makes Mrs. Hale appear to be rebellious.

She emphasizes the trust that Hale and Mr. Peters have in their wives, but shows the wives plotting to upstage their husbands.

She suggests that Mrs. Wright may have been successful as a singer, but indicates that Mr. Wright was jealous of her possible success.

Based on part two of Trifles, the symbolism behind the uneven stitching in Mrs. Wright’s otherwise perfect quilt indicates that she

did not enjoy the process of quilting.

was just beginning to learn how to quilt.

did not want her husband to know how well she could quilt.

was agitated or distracted by something during her quilting.

In part two of Trifles, which of the following images most reinforces the theme of loneliness that exists throughout the play?

the hollow in which the Wright home sat

the box in which the dead bird was found

the partially messy table in the kitchen

the broken hinge on the door of the birdcage

Read the excerpt from part two of Trifles.COUNTY ATTORNEY (facetiously). Well, Henry, at least we found out that she was not going to quilt it. She was going to—what is it you call it, ladies!MRS. HALE (her hand against her pocket). We call it—knot it, Mr. Henderson.How is this excerpt an example of irony?

The lighthearted and humorous tone of the County Attorney is the opposite of what you would expect during a situation like this.

A show of interest in the quilt on the men’s behalf was a sudden twist of what would normally be expected.

The County Attorney appeared to be asking a question about the quilt, but he was actually asking another question entirely.

It appeared as though Mrs. Hale was answering the question, but she actually meant something quite different with her response.

In part two of Trifles, how does the image of the dead bird wrapped in a silk cloth strengthen the feminist theme that women often suffer abuses within a male-dominated society?

The bird symbolizes loneliness, which Mrs. Wright endured throughout her marriage to Mr. Wright.

The bird symbolizes Mrs. Wright’s beauty, which heightened Mr. Wright’s insecurities about his marriage.

The bird symbolizes Mrs. Wright’s hopes of a singing career, which likely died when she married Mr. Wright.

The bird symbolizes nature, which Mrs. Wright missed greatly once she became secluded in the house.

Read the excerpt from part two of Trifles.MRS. PETERS (looking upstairs). We mustn’t—take on.MRS. HALE. I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be—for women. I tell you, it’s queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things—it’s all just a different kind of the same thing. Which theme is best reinforced by the excerpt?

Women could not generally count upon one another for support, advice, or company.

Women were overwhelmed by the roles they had to play and usually needed extra help.

Women generally felt detached from each other because of the societal roles thrust upon them.

Women were too busy caring for the men in their lives to spend time with other women.

In part two of Trifles, the symbol of the broken birdcage best supports the theme that women often

endure unjust acts in male-dominated societies.

face difficult paths as they pursue careers.

feel the need to restore their broken homes.

feel the need to fulfill nurturing roles in society.

Read the excerpt from part two of Trifles.MRS. HALE. It’s a log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn’t it? I wonder if she was goin’ to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.)SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.)Which theme is best reinforced by the excerpt?

The thoughts and opinions of women were not considered noteworthy.

The relationships between men and women were somewhat competitive.

The daily deeds of women were quite complex and detail oriented.

The dedication that women had for their communities was unmatched.

In part two of Trifles, which of the following is an example of situational irony?

Mrs. Peters cannot bring herself to touch the dead bird, so Mrs. Hales puts the entire box in her coat pocket.

The men overlook the important details because they believe the kitchen holds nothing but trivial kitchen items.

Mrs. Peters explains to Mrs. Hale that Mrs. Wright had an uncomfortable feeling around cats.

Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters discover a birdcage with broken door hinges and no bird inside of it.

In part two of Trifles, which of the following most supports the feminist theme that women suffer abuses within a male-dominated society?

the sewing basket

the shattered jar of fruit

the bird with the broken neck

the quilt with the uneven stitching

In part two of Trifles, which of the following best supports the feminist theme that women often found it difficult to fulfill their own heart’s desires?

the suggestion that Mrs. Wright stopped singing in the choir

the implication that a young Mrs. Peters was discouraged from saving her childhood pet from a vicious little boy

the accepted understanding that Mrs. Hale was too busy with her own home and children to stop for a visit

the idea that Mrs. Wright was unable to open her own fruit-stand

Based on part two of Trifles, what did the bird’s singing most likely symbolize to Mrs. Wright?

honesty and strength

freedom and beauty

talent and success

nature and equality

The fact that women often feel pressured to conform to society’s expectations is a common feminist theme found within literature. As this theme appears within part two of Trifles, which pair of symbols most strengthens this theme?

towel, table

bottle of fruit, birdcage

breadbox, cats

quilt, bird

In part two of Trifles, which quotation most supports the theme that women are often unaware of the suffering of other women?

MRS. PETERS. Oh--I don’t know. I don’t know as she was nervous. I sometimes sew awful queer when I’m just tired.

MRS. HALE. It would, wouldn’t it? (Dropping her sewing.) But I tell you what I do wish, Mrs. Peters. I wish I had come over sometimes she was here.

MRS. PETERS. I know what stillness is. (Pulling herself back.) The law has got to punish crime, Mrs. Hale.

MRS. HALE. ...I tell you, it’s queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart.

In part two of Trifles, how does the symbol of the broken fruit jar impact the theme that women were often unhappy in the roles they were expected to fulfill?

The shattered fruit jar symbolizes the broken and unhappy home in which Mrs. Wright lived.

The shattered fruit jar symbolizes the disappointment and hostility Mr. Wright felt for Mrs. Wright.

The shattered fruit jar symbolizes the lost career that Mrs. Wright had one day hoped to have.

The shattered fruit jar symbolizes the love and affection that Mrs. Wright once felt for Mr. Wright.

Read the excerpt from part two of Trifles.MRS. HALE. It’s log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn’t it? I wonder if she was goin’ to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.)SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.)What is ironic about this excerpt?

The men laugh at the women, and the women find themselves feeling very embarrassed by this.

The men believe the women are incapable of discovering anything of substance when, in fact, they are the ones who discover evidence.

Although they are considered to be good, knowledgeable homemakers, the women are puzzled by which stitching technique was used in the quilt.

Although the women are in Mrs. Wright’s kitchen, they are unfamiliar with many of the items that they find.

The men laugh at the women, and the women find themselves feeling very embarrassed by this.

The men believe the women are incapable of discovering anything of substance when, in fact, they are the ones who discover evidence.

Although they are considered to be good, knowledgeable homemakers, the women are puzzled by which stitching technique was used in the quilt.

Although the women are in Mrs. Wright’s kitchen, they are unfamiliar with many of the items that they find.

Based on part two of Trifles, the symbolism of the dead bird implies that Mr. Wright

was jealous because his wife devoted all of her attention to the bird.

was a cruel man who disliked animals, children, and women.

had an oppressive demeanor that killed the bird and his wife’s spirit.

had issues with feeling isolated that led to him feeling like a caged bird.

Women could not generally count upon one another for support, advice, or company.

Women were overwhelmed by the roles they had to play and usually needed extra help.

Women generally felt detached from each other because of the societal roles thrust upon them.

Women were too busy caring for the men in their lives to spend time with other women.

In part two of Trifles, which is an example of dramatic irony?

The women find that Mrs. Wright was stitching a quilt with a log-cabin design.

The men believe that Mrs. Wright may not have been a very good homemaker.

The audience knows about the deceased bird hidden in the box, but the men in the play do not.

The audience views the setting of the Wright home as a lonely place, but the characters do not.

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Interpreting a Source Text: A Production of Trifles Answers

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