Krantz
English Literature
Reading guide
Susan Glaspel's "Trifles"

1. Explain the significance of the title "Trifles" for Glaspell's play. Do you prefer this title or the one Glaspell gave her rewriting of the play as a short story, "A Jury of her Peers"? Why?



2. How does Glaspell characterize the men in the play? The sheriff? The attorney? The Neighboring farmer? What attitudes toward women do the men display?



3. How does Glaspell enlist our sympathy for the women? How do Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters get along with the men?



4. Which of the stage props are most important for the dramatic action of the play? For its theme? Why?



5. What relation to the plot does the setting have? How is it symbolic?



6. The introduction to Glaspell speaks of the women "reading" social texts, that is, gleaning meanings. What "texts" do the women "read" and what meanings do they elicit from them?



7. At what point in reading Trifles did you realize that Mrs. Wright had murdered her husband? What provided the final clue?



8. Explain the significance of the final line of dialogue.