Trifles: The Rise of Modern Feminism on the Stage, Part 1

Question

Based on the stage directions, which of the following best describes the setting of the play?

the sheriff’s farmhouse on a snowy day

a long-deserted plot of land in the country in early spring

an abandoned farmhouse on a cold day

a large house in the country on a winter evening

Answer 1

The best description of the setting of "Trifles" based on the stage directions is the sheriff’s farmhouse on a snowy day. The play is set in a rural farmhouse and the cold, snowy conditions are significant to the atmosphere and themes presented in the story.

Answer 2

wrong

Answer 3

I apologize for the oversight. The correct answer based on the setting described in "Trifles" is an abandoned farmhouse on a cold day. The play takes place in a farmhouse that has been left empty, and the cold weather is an important aspect of the story. Thank you for your understanding.

Answer 4

COUNTY ATTORNEY: . . . . Dirty towels! (kicks his foot against the pans under the sink) Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?

—Trifles, Susan Glaspell

What does this stage direction tell you about the county attorney?

He disapproves of Mrs. Wright’s poor housekeeping.

He can’t believe that Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale touched the pans.

He is angry about Mr. Wright’s death.

Answer 5

The stage direction suggests that the county attorney's attitude is one of condescension and judgment regarding Mrs. Wright's housekeeping. Therefore, the most accurate interpretation is:

He disapproves of Mrs. Wright’s poor housekeeping.

His reaction indicates a lack of empathy and an emphasis on traditional gender roles, highlighting his dismissal of the domestic sphere as unimportant.

Answer 6

HALE: Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.

(The two women move a little closer together.)

COUNTY ATTORNEY: (with the gallantry of a young politician) And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend.)

—Trifles,
Susan Glaspell

What does the stage direction “the women do not unbend” emphasize about the women?

They are not the least bit offended, and they remain focused on the case.

They are not comforted by his words, and they remain together.

They welcome his courtesy and respect, knowing that he values their opinions.

They look to the men for security and safety, hoping to gain respect.

Answer 7

The stage direction “the women do not unbend” emphasizes that they are not comforted by his words, and they remain together. This indicates that the women are aware of the condescension in the county attorney's remarks and that they maintain their solidarity and seriousness about the situation, reflecting their understanding of the deeper issues at play regarding gender roles and the importance of the so-called "trifles."

Answer 8

The women are often described through stage directions rather than through dialogue. How does this reinforce the role of women in Glaspell’s time? How does it go against the role of women?

Answer 9

In Susan Glaspell's "Trifles," the way women are described through stage directions rather than through dialogue reflects and reinforces societal attitudes toward women during her time, while simultaneously subverting those roles.

Reinforcement of the Role of Women:

1. Marginalization: The reliance on stage directions to describe the women highlights their secondary status in a male-dominated society. Women are often seen as supportive figures whose contributions and concerns are overlooked by the male characters, which mirrors the real-life marginalization experienced by women.

2. Domestic Sphere: The focus on their activities and descriptions as housewives and caretakers aligns with the societal expectation of women being confined to domestic roles. Their concerns are often dismissed as "trifles" by the men, reinforcing the notion that women's issues are trivial and insignificant.

3. Lack of Voice: The limited dialogue given to women reflects their lack of agency and representation in a patriarchal society. This can suggest that women's thoughts and feelings were often not valued or taken seriously.

Subversion of the Role of Women:

1. Insight and Intelligence: Despite being described primarily through stage directions, the actions and observations of the women reveal their deeper understanding of the situation than the men. They uncover the critical evidence (the dead canary) that the men dismiss, showcasing their intelligence and resourcefulness, which contradicts traditional views of women's capabilities.

2. Solidarity: The stage directions often show the women moving closer together, symbolizing their shared experience and solidarity. This suggests that women can bond over their shared struggles and can be more perceptive and capable than the men, subverting the traditional roles assigned to them.

3. Empathy and Understanding: Their attention to the domestic details and what appears to be "trifles" actually leads to a profound understanding of Mrs. Wright's plight. This challenges the notion that women's concerns are trivial and validates their emotional depth and insight, which were often dismissed in that era.

Overall, Glaspell uses stage directions to simultaneously reflect the constraints placed on women during her time and to demonstrate their strength and significance in understanding and addressing the core themes of the play.

Answer 10

make it a very short paragraph

Answer 11

In "Trifles," Glaspell's use of stage directions to describe women reinforces their marginalization in a male-dominated society, emphasizing their relegation to domestic roles and lack of voice. However, this approach also subverts traditional roles, as their insights and solidarity lead them to uncover crucial evidence that the men dismiss. By focusing on what the men consider "trifles," the women reveal their intelligence and emotional depth, challenging the notion that their concerns are insignificant and highlighting their critical role in understanding the central issues of the play.