Trifles: The Rise of Modern Feminism on the Stage, Part 1 Answers

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Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Dirty towels! (Kicks his foot against the pans under the sink.) Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?What does this excerpt emphasize about the character of the County Attorney?

A
his strong belief in a woman’s domestic role
B
his fervent desire to solve all types of crime
C
his awkward shyness when dealing with women
D
his passionate desire to keep things orderly
4

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician).Which best describes the effect of the word “gallantry” in this excerpt?

A
It creates the setting by hinting at a period in time when men were more inclined to treat women with respect.
B
It develops the conflict by creating tension as the other men in the story realize the County Attorney actually sympathizes with women.
C
It enhances the theme of the story by showing that some men are capable of treating women with respect, even if it does not seem so.
D
It characterizes the County Attorney as someone desirous of showing respect to women, even if he does not mean it.
6

Which of the following stage directions from part one of Trifles is designed to express emotion?

A
MRS. PETERS (after taking a step forward).
B
SHERIFF (looking about).
C
MRS. PETERS (to the other woman).
D
MRS. HALE (stiffly).
7

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business).How does the use of the word “official” in this stage direction affect the mood of the scene?

A
It suggests that the Sheriff is an honest man with great integrity.
B
It suggests that the Sheriff is pretending to know what he is doing.
C
It suggests that the Sheriff is going to attempt to act professionally.
D
It suggests that the Sheriff is very experienced with crimes of this sort.
8

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.HALE. I didn’t hear or see anything; I knocked at the door, and still it was all quiet inside. I knew they must be up, it was past eight o’clock. So I knocked again, and I thought I heard somebody say, “Come in.” I wasn’t sure, I’m not sure yet, but I opened the door—this door (indicating the door by which the two women are still standing), and there in that rocker—(pointing to it) sat Mrs. Wright. (They all look at the rocker.)How does the underlined stage direction affect the mood of the scene?

A
The emphasis on the rocker creates a tense mood as everyone is reminded of where Mrs. Wright calmly sat as she discussed her dead husband.
B
The emphasis on the rocker creates a hostile mood as the characters envision Mrs. Wright and the lack of emotion she showed as she sat rocking.
C
The emphasis on the rocker creates a calm mood as the reader is reminded of something that is typically used to pacify or soothe individuals.
D
The emphasis on the rocker creates a warm mood as the reader becomes focused on something that is often associated with fond memories.
9

Which excerpt from Trifles contains a stage direction?

A
SHERIFF (looking about). It’s just the same.
B
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Somebody should have been left here yesterday.
C
HALE. Well, she looked queer.
D
MRS. HALE. Well, I don’t know as Wright had, either.
10

Which of the following stage directions from part one of Trifles supports the idea that the two women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, are stronger than they may at first appear?

A
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here’s a nice mess.(The women draw nearer.)
B
HALE. Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.(The two women move a little closer together.)
C
COUNTY ATTORNEY. And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend.)
D
MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson.(The women listen to the men’s steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.)

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