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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who played the role of George Henderson in the original production of Trifles?
(a) Michael Hulgan
(b) Andrew Vestile
(c) Madison Dirks
(d) James Warner

2. In what year was John Hossack murdered?
(a) 1798
(b) 1916
(c) 1885
(d) 1900

3. When was Trifles first performed?
(a) September 25, 1919
(b) August 8, 1916
(c) July 15, 1901
(d) March 12, 1885

4. For how many months did Susan Glaspell cover the John Hossack murder case?
(a) 20
(b) 16
(c) 4
(d) 30

5. As a founding member of a famous theatrical collaboration, Susan Glaspell arranged for the first ever reading of a play by what famed playwright?
(a) Norman Mailer
(b) Samuel Beckett
(c) Edward Albee
(d) Eugene O’Neill

Short Answer Questions

1. What sentence was the murder suspect given for the murder of John Hossack?

2. Who portrayed Lewis Hale in the original production of Trifles?

3. According to the Introduction, what weapon was used to kill John Hossack?

4. Where did the trial for John Hossack’s murder take place?

5. Where was the theatrical collaboration that Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook formed originated?

Short Essay Questions

1. Upon what historic murder trial are the events in Trifles based?

2. When was Susan Glaspell inspired to write Trifles? Who encouraged her to write it and why?

3. How does Mrs. Hale recall Mrs. Wright? What can the reader/audience discern of Mrs. Wright’s character by Mrs. Hale’s recollections?

4. When and where was Trifles first performed?

5. Why does Mr. Hale stop at the Wrights' property the previous day?

6. What does Mr. Hale respond when questioned about how Mrs. Wright appears when he arrives the previous day?

7. How does Trifles reflect “local color” in its style and narrative?

8. What themes are central in the play? Which characters are the focus of the play?

9. How does the theme of guilt apply to Mrs. Hale?

10. What does Mrs. Wright tell Mr. Hale about who murdered her husband? Who has she notified of his death?

(see the answer keys)

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