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

Which of the following are stage directions? Check all of the boxes that apply. -"COUNTY ATTORNEY: To be sure. And yet" -"MRS HALE" -"(stiffly)" -"There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm." -"(with a little bow to her)"

Correct answer: -"(stiffly)" -"(with a little bow to her)"

Read the passage and highlight the clues that say something about Mrs. Wright. HALE: Why, I don't think she minded — one way or other. She didn't pay much attention. I said, "How do, Mrs. Wright, it's cold, ain't it?" And she said, "Is it?" — and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, I was surprised; she didn't ask me to come up to the stove, or to set down, but just sat there, not even looking at me, so I said, "I want to see John." And then she — laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh.

Correct answer: -"She didn't pay much attention." -"went on kind of pleating at her apron" -"just sat there, not even looking at me" -"And then she - laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh"

What does the word arranges mean in this stage direction? -"places in proper order" -"plans an appointment" -"works out an agreement"

Correct answer: -"places in proper order"

What effect does using arrange instead of one of its synonyms have on the play? -Arrange shows that Mrs. Hale is concerned with correcting Mrs. Wright's mistakes. -Arrange implies that Mrs. Hale is furious that things are out of order. -Arrange suggests a proper way to stack the pans and shows sympathy for Mrs. Wright.

Correct answer: -Arrange suggests a proper way to stack the pans and shows sympathy for Mrs. Wright.

What does this stage direction tell you about the county attorney? -He disapproves of Mrs. Wright's poor housekeeping. -He can't believe that Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale touched the pans. -He is angry about Mr. Wright's death.

Correct answer: -He disapproves of Mrs. Wright's poor housekeeping.

What does the county attorney think of Mrs. Wright? -He thinks that she did not like Mr. Wright -He thinks that she was a poor housekeeper -He thinks that she worked too hard

Correct answer: -He thinks that she was a poor housekeeper

What can you infer about Mrs. Wright's home life from what Mrs. Hale says? -Mrs. Wright enjoyed being a homemaker. -Mrs. Wright thought that Mr. Wright should have helped with the housekeeping. -Mrs. Wright may not have been a good homemaker, but neither was her husband.

Correct answer: -Mrs. Wright may not have been a good homemaker, but neither was her husband.

What can you assess about Mrs. Wright based on this passage? -She knows that she is a suspect in this case. -She is nervous and preoccupied -She is suspicious of Mr. Hale -She is behaving normally

Correct answer: -She is nervous and preoccupied

How does this stage direction develop the mood of the scene? -Mrs. Hale's cleaning shows her caring, frightened mood. -The emphasis on talking creates a friendly, thoughtful mood. -The chair rocking by itself creates a somber, spooky mood.

Correct answer: -The chair rocking by itself creates a somber, spooky mood.

How does this dialogue develop Mrs. Wright's possible motivation for killing her husband? -The dialogue suggests that Mr. Wright was constantly unhappy. -The dialogue suggests that Mrs. Wright may have desired to escape her unhappy marriage. -The dialogue suggests that Mrs. Wright may have wanted to prove her abilities. -The dialogue suggests that Mrs. Wright may have wanted to assert her independence.

Correct answer: -The dialogue suggests that Mrs. Wright may have desired to escape her unhappy marriage.

What does the stage direction "the women do not unbend" emphasize about the women? -They are not the least bit offended, and they remain focused on the case. -They are not comforted by his words, and they remain together. -They welcome his courtesy and respect, knowing that he values their opinions. -They look to the men for security and safety, hoping to gain respect.

Correct answer: -They are not comforted by his words, and they remain together.

How does this stage direction help the reader? -by describing the setting -by establishing a mood -by establishing the time of day

Correct answer: -by establishing a mood

Which word has a similar meaning to fixed as it is used in the passage? -arranged -focused -repaired

Correct answer: -focused

Which word has a similar meaning to arrange? -clean -organize -hide

Correct answer: -organize

What does the word fixed mean in the stage direction? -avoiding -correct -stuck

Correct answer: -stuck

What effect does using fixed instead of one of its synonyms have on the play? -Fixed better shows intensity; Mrs. Hale thinks that the loaf of bread is very important. -Fixed tells the actor to stand very close to the bread-box; the bread-box does not move. -Fixed suggests that Mrs. Hale moves rigidly; she is nervous.

Correct answer: -Fixed better shows intensity; Mrs. Hale thinks that the loaf of bread is very important.

Based on the stage directions, which of the following best describes the setting of the play? -the sheriff's farmhouse on a snowy day -a long-deserted plot of land in the country in early spring -an abandoned farmhouse on a cold day -a large house in the country on a winter evening

Correct answer: -an abandoned farmhouse on a cold day

For what purpose might a playwright include stage directions? Check all of the boxes that apply. -to establish the time period -to describe a character's thoughts -to build the setting -to describe a character's appearance -to indicate dialogue -to direct actions that take place offstage -to direct actions that take place onstage -to specify lighting or sound effects

Correct answer: -to establish the time period -to describe a character's thoughts -to build the setting -to describe a character's appearance -to direct actions that take place onstage -to specify lighting or sound effects

The women are often described through stage directions rather than through dialogue. How does this reinforce the role of women in Glaspell's time? How does it go against the role of women?

Correct answer: The lack of dialogue emphasizes women's lack of voice and power. The specific stage directions highlight that the women are underestimated by the men. The lack of dialogue shows the lack of communication between men and women at the time. The stage directions suggest that the silenced women speak through subtle but important actions.