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Identify which types of sources you will be reading.

You will read Glaspell’s 1900 and 1901 newspaper accounts of the Hossack trial.

These are
✔ primary
sources.
You will also read part of Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America’s Heartland. This book, written in 2005, describes the murder, the trial, and Glaspell’s reporting.

This is a
✔ secondary
source.
How are the primary and secondary sources different? Check all of the boxes that apply.

They discuss different subject matters.

They were written on different dates.

Their subject matters are in different locations.

The authors gather research in different ways.

They take different stances on Mrs. Hossack’s guilt.

11 answers

To distinguish between primary and secondary sources, let's look at how they differ based on the options provided:

  1. They discuss different subject matters. - This may not necessarily be true, as both sources deal with the same overall event (the murder and trial) but from different perspectives: one being a direct account (primary) and the other an interpretation and analysis (secondary).

  2. They were written on different dates. - ✔ This is true. The primary sources (Glaspell's newspaper accounts) were written in 1900 and 1901, while the secondary source (Midnight Assassin) was written in 2005.

  3. Their subject matters are in different locations. - This statement is misleading; both sources pertain to the same event. Therefore, this option is not applicable.

  4. The authors gather research in different ways. - ✔ This is true. The primary source provides direct observations and reports from the trial, while the secondary source analyzes and interprets those events, relying on research and historical context.

  5. They take different stances on Mrs. Hossack’s guilt. - ✔ This could be true, as the primary source might report facts and information without significant bias, while the secondary source might provide an interpretation and opinion regarding Hossack's guilt or innocence.

Based on this analysis, the true differences are:

  • They were written on different dates.
  • The authors gather research in different ways.
  • They may take different stances on Mrs. Hossack’s guilt.
Select whether each of the following statements from Trifles is a fact or an opinion.

“She didn’t even belong to the Ladies’ Aid.”

fact

opinion

The statement “She didn’t even belong to the Ladies’ Aid.” is a fact. This is a specific piece of information that can be verified and is not based on personal belief or interpretation.

I suppose she felt she couldn’t do her part, and then you don’t enjoy things when you feel shabby.”

fact

opinion

The statement “I suppose she felt she couldn’t do her part, and then you don’t enjoy things when you feel shabby.” is an opinion. This statement expresses a personal interpretation or belief about someone's feelings and experiences, rather than a verifiable fact.

How does the opinion statement reflect the realistic and feminist ideas in Trifles?

The formal language sounds realistic, and the opinion illustrates the feminist idea that women should focus on their appearance.

The ideas sound realistic, and the opinion illustrates the feminist idea that women should enjoy serving their communities.

The informal language sounds realistic, and the opinion illustrates the feminist idea that a woman’s self-esteem is tied to her personal fulfillment.

The best interpretation of how the opinion statement reflects realistic and feminist ideas in Trifles is:

The informal language sounds realistic, and the opinion illustrates the feminist idea that a woman’s self-esteem is tied to her personal fulfillment.

This choice highlights the everyday, relatable speech of the characters, emphasizing the realistic portrayal of women’s lives. It also captures the feminist notion that a woman's sense of self-worth and fulfillment is often linked to her personal experiences and roles in society, as opposed to merely conforming to societal expectations about appearance or community service.

Which of the following statements from Glaspell’s newspaper articles are opinions? Check all that apply.

“The assault was probably committed by burglars.”

“She was locked up in the county jail here last night at 8:30.”

“At half past ten o’clock the grand jury made formal announcement that it had indicted Mrs. Hossack for the murder of her husband, John Hossack.”

“Though past 50 years of age, she is tall and powerful and looks like she would be dangerous if aroused to a point of hatred.”

“The awful crime of which Mrs. Hossack stands accused is still fresh in the minds of every newspaper reader in Iowa.”

Let's analyze each statement to determine which are opinions:

  1. “The assault was probably committed by burglars.” - Opinion (This is a conjecture about the motives behind the assault, framed as a likelihood rather than a certainty.)

  2. “She was locked up in the county jail here last night at 8:30.” - Fact (This is a verifiable statement about an event that occurred.)

  3. “At half past ten o’clock the grand jury made formal announcement that it had indicted Mrs. Hossack for the murder of her husband, John Hossack.” - Fact (This is a factual statement regarding the actions of the grand jury.)

  4. “Though past 50 years of age, she is tall and powerful and looks like she would be dangerous if aroused to a point of hatred.” - Opinion (This provides an interpretation of Mrs. Hossack's appearance and potential behavior, which is subjective.)

  5. “The awful crime of which Mrs. Hossack stands accused is still fresh in the minds of every newspaper reader in Iowa.” - Opinion (This expresses an interpretation about the public's memory and reaction to the crime, which cannot be definitively verified.)

Based on this analysis, the opinions in the statements are:

  • “The assault was probably committed by burglars.”
  • “Though past 50 years of age, she is tall and powerful and looks like she would be dangerous if aroused to a point of hatred.”
  • “The awful crime of which Mrs. Hossack stands accused is still fresh in the minds of every newspaper reader in Iowa.”
In Midnight Assassin, Patricia Bryan and Thomas Wolf write, “Hossack and his wife, Margaret, had nine children, including five, ranging in age from thirteen to twenty-six, who were in the house at the time of the assault.” Is this a fact or an opinion? How can you tell?

It is an opinion, because the authors have no way of knowing who was in the house when Hossack was assaulted.

It is an opinion, because the authors are imagining the scene in order to make the events more vivid for the reader.

It is a fact, because the ages and locations of the Hossack children can be verified by primary source documents or eyewitness accounts from the time of the murder.

It is a fact, because secondary sources contain only facts, never opinions.

The statement “Hossack and his wife, Margaret, had nine children, including five, ranging in age from thirteen to twenty-six, who were in the house at the time of the assault.” is a fact. You can tell because the information provided (the number of children, their ages, and their presence in the house during the assault) can be verified through primary source documents or eyewitness accounts from the time of the murder.

So the correct answer is:

It is a fact, because the ages and locations of the Hossack children can be verified by primary source documents or eyewitness accounts from the time of the murder.