In the context of the stage direction "MRS. HALE (examining the skirt)," the word "examining" most accurately means looking very closely. It suggests that Mrs. Hale is inspecting the skirt with attention to detail, which can include checking for flaws or searching for clues, but primarily denotes a careful and thorough observation.
Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.
MRS. HALE (examining the skirt).
What does the word “examining” mean in the stage direction?
checking for flaws
looking very closely
searching for clues
seeking solutions
9 answers
Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.
SHERIFF. Nothing here but kitchen things.
(The County Attorney, after again looking around the kitchen, opens the door of a cupboard closet. He gets up on a chair and looks on a shelf. Pulls his hand away, sticky.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here’s a nice mess.
(The women draw nearer.)
MRS. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, her fruit; it did freeze. (To the Lawyer). She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire’d go out and her jars would break.
What do the underlined stage directions suggest about the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters?
They are totally fascinated by what the County Attorney is saying.
They are being polite by attempting to move nearer to the speaker.
They share a bond as women and are instinctively curious.
They are attempting to hide something by distracting the speaker.
SHERIFF. Nothing here but kitchen things.
(The County Attorney, after again looking around the kitchen, opens the door of a cupboard closet. He gets up on a chair and looks on a shelf. Pulls his hand away, sticky.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here’s a nice mess.
(The women draw nearer.)
MRS. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, her fruit; it did freeze. (To the Lawyer). She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire’d go out and her jars would break.
What do the underlined stage directions suggest about the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters?
They are totally fascinated by what the County Attorney is saying.
They are being polite by attempting to move nearer to the speaker.
They share a bond as women and are instinctively curious.
They are attempting to hide something by distracting the speaker.
The underlined stage directions suggest that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters share a bond as women and are instinctively curious. Their action of drawing nearer indicates a connection and interest in what is happening, especially as the discussion revolves around personal and domestic concerns, which they may relate to on a different level than the men.
Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.
COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies?
What is the primary purpose of these stage directions?
to further establish the time period
to indicate a character’s tone of voice
to direct actions that take place onstage
to describe a character’s thoughts
COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies?
What is the primary purpose of these stage directions?
to further establish the time period
to indicate a character’s tone of voice
to direct actions that take place onstage
to describe a character’s thoughts
The primary purpose of these stage directions is to indicate a character’s tone of voice. The phrase "with the gallantry of a young politician" suggests a specific way of speaking and demeanor that conveys the County Attorney's attitude and character. This detail helps the audience understand his approach and possibly his condescension towards women, which is a theme in the play.
Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.
MRS. HALE (abruptly moving toward her). Mrs. Peters?
Which best describes the effect of the word “abruptly” in the excerpt?
The use of the word abruptly heightens the conflict by revealing to the reader that Mrs. Hale is becoming increasingly anxious.
The use of the word abruptly characterizes Mrs. Hale as someone who is aggressive and assertive by nature.
The use of the word abruptly quickens the plot by making it appear as though the characters in the play are rushed.
The use of the word abruptly adds to the mysterious mood in the scene as the reader is left to wonder why Mrs. Hale is upset.
MRS. HALE (abruptly moving toward her). Mrs. Peters?
Which best describes the effect of the word “abruptly” in the excerpt?
The use of the word abruptly heightens the conflict by revealing to the reader that Mrs. Hale is becoming increasingly anxious.
The use of the word abruptly characterizes Mrs. Hale as someone who is aggressive and assertive by nature.
The use of the word abruptly quickens the plot by making it appear as though the characters in the play are rushed.
The use of the word abruptly adds to the mysterious mood in the scene as the reader is left to wonder why Mrs. Hale is upset.
The best description of the effect of the word "abruptly" in the excerpt is: The use of the word abruptly heightens the conflict by revealing to the reader that Mrs. Hale is becoming increasingly anxious. This choice conveys a sense of urgency and emotional intensity in Mrs. Hale’s action, suggesting that she is feeling pressure or distress in the situation.
Mrs. Wright’s broken jars of preserves symbolize her broken household. What thematic knowledge is necessary to make this connection?
an understanding that Mrs. Wright has become unstable
an understanding that Mrs. Wright is considered responsible for the home
an understanding that the jars were a prized possession
an understanding that Mrs. Wright has become unstable
an understanding that Mrs. Wright is considered responsible for the home
an understanding that the jars were a prized possession
The thematic knowledge necessary to make the connection between Mrs. Wright’s broken jars of preserves and her broken household is an understanding that Mrs. Wright is considered responsible for the home. This connection highlights the societal expectations placed on women regarding domesticity and the emotional weight of those responsibilities. The broken jars symbolize not only her failure to maintain her household but also reflect her turmoil and the breakdown of her marriage and life.
7 answers