MRS. HALE. It’s a log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn’t it? I wonder if she was goin’ to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.) SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.) Which theme is best reinforced by the excerpt?
Answers
Explanation:
MRS. HALE. It’s a log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn’t it? I wonder if [Mrs. Wright]was goin’ to quilt it or just knot it?(Footsteps have been heard comingdown the stairs. The sheriff enters followed by Hale and the CountyAttorney.)SHERIFF.They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it!(The menlaugh, the women look abashed.)COUNTY ATTORNEY(rubbing his hands over the stove).Frank’s fire didn’tdo much up there, did it? Well, let’s go out to the barn and get that clearedup.(The men go outside).MRS. HALE(resentfully).I don’t know as there’s anything so strange, ourtakin’ up our time with little things while we’re waiting for them to get the
evidence. (She sits down at the big table smoothing out a block withdecision.)I don’t see as its anything to laugh about.(606,607)d.Historical Era:The events in this drama revolve around the 19th century when women didnot have much social or political power to voice their minds openly. In fact,female writers of this era such as Kate Chapin in “The Story of an Hour”and Susan Glaspell herself wrote in response to the marital oppression ofwomen and their limited roles in society.During this period of time, women struggled with marital oppression andthus Glaspell brilliantly portrays her fellow women successfully in “Trifles.”The company for which Glaspell wrote was called the ProvincetownPlayers which “stimulated the work of many theatrical talents that otherwisemight have remained obscure” (encyclopedia Britannica).“The Players became a major artistic influence of the time, and also amajor influence in Glaspell’s life, giving her a forum and voice for her ideasand introducing her to new people and new thoughts. [Ironically][Glaspell’s] husband, George Cook, also a member of the players,introduced her to new ways of thinking...” ().e. Atmosphere:Since the beginning of the drama, the reader is introduced to a mysteriousscenario in which a man was killed. “Before a single word is spoken,suspense is created as the characters enter” (614). One can’t expectanything positive when a sheriff and a prosecutor appear in a gloomyhouse. The kitchen is left a disaster with “unwashed pans under the sink, aloaf of bread outside the breadbox, a dish towel on the table-other signs ofincompleted work” (601). As the plot is developed, the reader is leftapprehensive in the mysterious murder of John Wright. The wife’s behaviorwhen Mr. Hale enters the house is sketchy.HALE. Why, I don’t think [Mrs. Wright] minded-one way or other. Shedidn’t pay much attention. I said, “How do, Mrs. Wright, it’s cold, ain’t it?”And she said, “Is it?”-and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well Iwas surprised,; she didn’t ask me to come up to the stove, or to set