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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. Near the end of the play, what does Mrs. Peters attempt to take from the box but cannot bring herself to do it?

2. When speaking with Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Hale claims, “I know how things can be—for” what?

3. What key character in the play never appears onstage?

4. Who does Mr. Hale say he is going to town with when he stops by the Wrights’ home?

5. What is Mrs. Hale’s final line of the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Trifles reflect women’s roles during Susan Glaspell’s lifetime?

2. What happens after Mr. Hale finishes his story of the previous day's events?

3. When does Mrs. Hale ask Mrs. Peters her opinion on the guilt of Mrs. Wright? What is her reply?

4. What does Mrs. Hale say to Mrs. Peters in disregarding the stitching of the quilt?

5. What causes Mr. Hale to backtrack in his description of Mrs. Wright's demeanor in his interview with the County Attorney?

6. What is strange about the choice of weapon used in the murder? What do the women remark about it?

7. What does Mrs. Hale discover in the box in Mrs. Wright's sewing basket? How do the women respond?

8. How do the men in the play respond to Mrs. Wright's worry over her preserves?

9. What do the two women remark about the birdcage when they discover it?

10. What leads Mr. Henderson to the conclusion that Mrs. Wright is a bad housekeeper?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the relationship between Sheriff Peters and Mrs. Peters in comparison to the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Hale. What are the similarities? What are the differences?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of John Wright and different qualities that lead the reader to believe Mrs. Wright killed him. Is the murder justified given the circumstances? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Define and analyze the theme of guilt in the narrative. What character is racked with guilt and why? In what different ways does “guilt” apply to the story? Is Minnie Wright guilty? Why or why not?

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