Discussion Leading 11/28

Susan Glaspell

"Trifles"

1. How do the perspectives of the males and females in this play differ concerning the crime, the victim, and the accused? Do you think these perspectives led to the decision the women make at the end not to tell the men about the evidence they found? Is it strictly to side with their gender or are there other reasons?

2. On page 988, Mrs. Hale says, "No, Wright wouldn't like the bird - a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too." In addition to this, she mentions that John Wright was a hard man, and makes references that he was verbally, if not physically abusive towards Minnie. Who do you think was the true victim in this case: Minnie or John? Mrs. Peters says, "the law has got to punish crimes" on page 917. With the law being a black or white proposition in this time period, do you think there is a gray area in this scenario? What would you have done in this situation?

3. The treatment and position of women, as well as gender biases, are some main themes. The lack of opportunities given to the women and their constantly being undervalued is shown within the first pages. On page 983, Mrs. Peters says, "Oh, her fruit; it did freeze. She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire'd go out and her jars would break." The Sheriff then replies, "Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves." A line later, Hale says, "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles." Why is this quote and the title of the play important?

4. Beyond the separation felt between the men and women in the play, there is also a physical one regarding the staging. What do you think Susan Glaspell was trying to say to her audience when she chose to write the women in the kitchen, and the men to focus investigating in the bedroom upstairs?