Response to the play “Trifles”

Response to the play “Trifles”

Who is the protagonist? Why and how so? Which other characters are main characters? (1180)

1. Mrs. Peters, the sheriff’s wife and Mrs. Hale whose husband was the first witness to John Wright’s death are the protagonists.

2. We see Mrs. Peters’ attitude changes from supporting the law to practicing her own justice.

Mrs. Hale is the one to find the first “clue” solving the case. She notices the awkward sewing on one piece of the quilt. Also, she is the one who lets Mrs. Peters realize sometimes the law cannot take care of everything and you have to bring justice yourself.

3. The sheriff and the county attorney.

Their investigation of the crime scene is in vain because they are too male chauvinistic to look at the trivial things in the kitchen. However, the motive of the crime is found in the kitchen.

What is the climax? Why and how so? How and why might this resolution fulfill your expectations? (1182)

1. When the attorney asks: “Is there a cat?” Mrs. Peters answers: “Well not now. They’re superstitious, you know. They leave” (1163).

2. The sheriff’s wife, Mrs. Peters who is married to the law (1164) has decided to protect Minnie Foster.

3. The resolution fulfilled my expectations because sometimes justice is not fair.

How important do the general time and place seem to be, and in what ways are they important? (1184)

1. Winter time is always giving us a bleak and gloomy feeling. If the play were in a shiny summer day, we might not be able to feel the coldness and the isolated atmosphere.

2. Kitchen is the essence of this play as it is a woman’s place back that time. Therefore, the two women find the motive in the kitchen where the men neglect to examine.

What types of irony in the play? What is the effect of the irony? (1186)

Susan Glaspell’s implicit irony through the men who are in the discovery of clues in the arbitrary and incompetent performance. But she did not stay at this point. The play shows empathy, the ability to understand another person’s feelings and experiences. In an era with a lack of  telephone and convenient transportation, it’s difficult for people to communicate with each other. On the other hand, we are now living in a high tech world, facing the challenges of mechanization and technology. Are we better at communicating than back during that time?