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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What character did Susan Glaspell portray in the original production of Trifles?

2. When was Trifles first performed?

3. In what year was John Hossack murdered?

4. As a founding member of a famous theatrical collaboration, Susan Glaspell arranged for the first ever reading of a play by what famed playwright?

5. What important theatrical collaboration did Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook found?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Wright reply when Mr. Hale tells her that he wants to see Mr. Wright?

2. Who does Mr. Hale call inside after Mrs. Wright tells him Mr. Wright is dead? What did they find?

3. How does Trifles differ from episodic dramas or climactic plays?

4. What genre does the play Trifles fall into? Why?

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

6. When and where was Trifles first performed?

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

8. How does Henry Peters begin the investigation after arriving at the Wright home? What does Mr. Henderson interrupt to ask?

9. How does Mrs. Wright inform Mr. Hale of her husband's location and means of death?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the foreshadowing from the opening scene in the narrative. What clue does the reader gain for future events in the story? How does the author highlight foreshadowing?

Essay Topic 2

Define and identify the imagery used in Trifles. How does the use of simile give the reader a better understanding of Mr. and Mrs. Wright? What metaphors are presented in the play? How do they reflect the play’s themes?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the character of Lewis Hale and discuss his relationship with the other characters. How well does Mr. Hale know the Wrights'? What regard does he have for them?

(see the answer keys)

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