Glaspell/Trifles
ReadingDrama
Glaspell wrote Tiiflesto complete a bill that was to feature severaloneact plays by Eugene O'Neill. InThe Road to the Temple(1926)she recalls how
the play came to her as she sat in rhe theater looking at a bare stage.First,
"the stage became a kitchen. . . . Then the door at the back opened, and
people all bundled up came in - tu'o or three men. I rvasn't sure which, but
sure enough about the two women, who hung back, reluctant ro enter that
kitchen. When I was a newspaper reporter out in Iowa, I was sent downstate to do a murder trial, and I never forgot going to the kitchen of a
woman who had been locked up in town."
Tiifles is about a murder committed in a midwescern farmhouse, but
the play goes beyond the kinds of questions raised by most v'hodunrt stories.The murder is rhe occasioninsreadof the focus.The play's major concerns are the moral, social, and psychological aspects of the assumprions
and perceptions of the men and women who search for the murderer's
motive. Glaspell is finally more inrerested in the meaning of Mrs. Wrighr's
life rhan in the details ofMr. Wrighr's death.
m
€)
As you read the play keep track of your responsesto JoIo,".li.",* ro,
*o
the characters and nore in the margin the moments
l:'_1i^"-',1'!,""o't
::T;"',*;:'":T:
when Glaspell reveals how rnen and rvomen .;;;.";
differendyio the evidencebefore them. Whar do ihor"
l:X:",'.0,';;:::'"'.o-'
moments suggest about the kinds of assumptions these men and women
make about chemselvesand each other? How do their assumDtions comoare wirh vour own?
Trifles
ryfi
CHARACTERS
GeorgeHenderson,county actorney
Henrv Peterl sheriff
Lewi Hale, a neighboring farmer
Mrs. Peters
Mrs. Hale
scrNs: The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse ofJohn Wright, a gloomy
kitchen, and lefc u'ithout having been put in order - unwashed pans under the sink,
a loafoFbread outside the breadbox, a dish torvel on the table - other signs ofincompleted work. At the rear rhe outer door opens and the Sheriff comes in followed
by the County Attorney and Hale. The Sheriff and Hale are men in middle life, rhe
Counry Atorney is a young man; all are much bundled up and go ac once to che
stove. They are followed by the two r.vomen- the Sheriff's wife first; she is a slight
wiry woman, a thin nervous face.Mrs. Haie is larger and would ordinarily be called
more comfortable looking, but she is disturbed now and looks Fearfuliy about as
she enters.The rvomen have come in slowly, and stand close together near the door.
Countt Attornet)(rubbinghisbands):This feelsgood' Come uP to the fire' ladies'
Mrs.Feters(afier takingastepforward): I'm not cold'
the stoueas tf yo ntarh the
Sirr61
l""iixoning h7sorriroot and'stepping1*9 f"o!'
'iegnning
we move things about'
before
Uale,
Mr.
Xo-,
of oficial business):
*'hen
you came here yesjust
saw
u'har
vou
V..
He.tderson
il
vJ,
""pi.in
morning.
terday
just as you
Coun\t Anorney Bf the r.vay,has anything been moved?Are tl-rings
left them vesterdav?
zero
-Sheriff(tookingabout): Ic's just about c-hesame' When it dropped below
fire
a
to_make
morning
i;r; nigh?I choughrI'd bettersendFrank out this
not
to
him
cold
I
on)
but
case
l
a
big
with
for us no use gectingpneumonia
Frank'
know
and
scove
ih.
rouch anyrhittg-"*..pc
)'ou
Counj Axorney SJmebodyshould have beenleft hereyesterday'
Oh-iesrerday. When I had to send Frank ro Morris Center for that
iir,rii1,
-man
,rho -e nt cr.azy Iwanr you to know I had my hands full yesterday.I
knevyyou could gecback from Omaha by codayand as long as I wencover
everything heremYseifhere
Coun| inornil, Well, Mr. Hale, tell just what happened when you catne
yesrerdaymorning.
co torvn with a load of potatoes.We came along
Hal/: Harry'and I had."srarted.
rh" ro..i from ml,place and as I got here I said, "I'm goirlg ro.seeif I can't
getJohn Wright to go in with me-on ^-?^'ry telep.hone'"I spoke to Wright
ibo,rt it o.r.Jb"fo.J.nd he put me o6i saying Folkstalked too much anyall he askedru", p."."-t,,d quiei-Lgu^ess you know abouc how
,"^y,
and
he talked himself;but t thoughr maybeif t went-to the..house
much".d
know
I
didn'r
that
Harry
ralked about it before his wi[e, though I said to
as rvhat his wife r.vantedmade much differencecoJohn
r.r'antto talk about
I
do
Hale.
Mr.
iater,
that
abour
ralk
Ler's
Cor.tnjAttornel:
t-hat,but iell now jusr what happenedwhen yoy go.tto the hous€'
it rvasall
Hale: I didn'r hear or seeanything;^I knocked at the door, and still
-So I
o'clock'
eight
past
wasit
up,
be
quiet inside. I kne',v ch"y m.tstwasn't
I
in-"
"C9ag
sa1
somebody
I
hearcl
I
thought
and
knocked again,
sure,I'm nor sure yet, bur I"openedthe door this door (indicatingthedoor
in rhar rocker - (pointing
rhere
and
bl phich the two *irrffi are silfi stunding)
rocker')
the
at
look
all
n itl t^tMrs. Vright. (The1
Counj Attornel: Whar-was shedoing?
and was
Hale:- Shervas-rockin'back and forth.*Shehad her apron in her hand
k i n d o F - p l e a t i n gi c .
And"howdid she- look?
Cortntt Attorne'v:
.Well,shl
queer.
looked
Hale:
Cottnj Affornel: Horvdo you mean- queer/
,"vasgoing to do next. And kind of
Hale,'Well,as-i6she didnit know rvhai she
done up.
Counj Affo;nry: How did she seemco feel about yott: toTltg?, , ,pay
iole,'wt'ry,t ior,'t think she minded - one wlY or.9'h.tt: lh:, qidn'c.
1u.c.-h
said,"Is
she
And
ic?"
ain'c
ir's
cold,
wrighc,
do, Mrs.
I said,,,Hor.v
she
"rr.r,rlior,.
ir?',- and wenr on kind of pleatinglt her apron.Well,I rvassurprised;
just sat there,
didn'r ask me ro come up co the iro.,r",o. io set do*n, buc
she
not even looking at me) so I said, "l \r'ant to seeJohn"' And then
team
the
and
of
Harry
I
thoughc
laugh'
ic
a
call
wouid
laughed.I guessi'ou
Glaspell/Trifles
ReadingDrama
outside,so I said a littie sharp:,.Can'rI seeJohn?,,.,No,,,
she says,kind o'
dull like. 'Ain't he hom.ef" saysL "yes,,,sayi she, ,.he'shome.,,.tir.r, *hy
can't I seehim?" I askedher,.outof parience.,,,Causehe,sd.ead,,,
saysshe.
"De,a/?.".says
I. She just nodded hei head, nor getring a bir excirei, but
rockin' back and forth. "Why * r.vhereis he?,,say"s
I, nJt knowing whar ro
say.She.jusrpointed upstairs-like rhac(himsetfpointingtotheroim aboue).
I srarcedfor rhe stairs,wirh rhe idea oIgoing.,p ih.r". I-walkedfrom there
ro here.-.tl.renI says,"!7hy, rvhacdid h; die ofi,, ,,He died of a rope round
his.neck,".savs
she,and just wen! on plearin,arher apron.Well,I'went out
and called H.arry.I rhoughr I mighi-need help. \X,'.*.r' upstairs and
therehe waslvin'countv Attornel: I rhink I'd rather ha'e ),ou go inro rhat upsrairs, where you
'
can poinr it all our. Ju.stgo on norv wirh r"heresr of the ,io.y.
Hale: We.|l,my firsr thoughr was to ger rhar rope ofF.It looked . .
luopr; hk
twitches).. . but Harry, he rveniup to him, and he said, "No, he,s deadface
all
right, and we'd berter not rouch inything." So *,e wenr bacl downsrairs.
She was still sitting rhar same-"y. ;'H* inybody been notified?',I asked.
"N9," sa_ys
she,unconcerned.,,Who did this, Vrs. Wrighr?', said Harry. He
said it businesslike-and she stopped plearin' of f,er apron. ,,I don'r
knorv," she says "fo1 do1'g knowi,- says'Harrv. ,,No,,,saysshe. ,,Weren,r
you sleepin'inthe bed_wirhhim?,,s.y. i{...v. ,,%s,,,says
she,,,butI wason
chei.side." "somebody
a
rope
round
his
nec( and srrangledhim
llipp"a
,,I didn't
u,ake up,,, she ,iid
.and1ou didn'c rvake.up?" says Hariy.
h i m . w e m u s r ' a ' l o o k e d a s i f w e d i d n ' r s e eh o u , r h a r . " . r i a u . , f o r a f"fr..
r e ra
minure she said,"I sleep sound." Harrl' rvasgoing ro ask her more questions bur I said maybewe ougl.rrto let her rell f,er siory firsr ro the coroner.
or the sheriFf,so Harry went fasr as he could ro Rivers',place,where there's
a telephone.
cownj Attorney: And wh-atdid Mrs. wrighr do 'uvhenshe knew rhat you had
gone Forthe coroner?
Hale: she moved From rhe rocker to that chair over rhere (pointing to a small
cbair in tbe corner) and jusr sar there u'ith her hands held rolether and
looking down. I got a feeling rhat I oughr ro make ,o^" .o.,u..!arron, so I
said I had come in ro seeifJohn...tred ro pur in a telephone,and at thar
she srarcedro iaugh, and.rhenshe sroppedand looked *. -. --r.... d,.(Tbe
Aftorney,who hashadhisnotebookout, tnakesa note.)I dunno, maybe
lounry
rc wasn'r scared.I wouldn'r like co say it r.r,as.
soon Harry got back, and.
then Dr. Llol'd came and you, Mr. peiers,and so I guessrhir,,
I knorv
"ll
that you don'r.
co*nt1t
(ookingaround): I guessu'e'll go upsrairs first-and then our
4tt,lnry
ro rhe barn and around there.(Tbtbesberiff.;you're convinced that rhere
y r r - l " r , h i n g i m p o r r a n rh e r e - n o r h i n gt h a i w o u l d p o i n r r o a n y m o r i v e ?
Sheriff: Norhing here bur kirchen rhings. lThe countTAmrnrl, aftir again lookingaround thekirchen,.lplns.the
doorof a cupboarf,croset.
ui geisupin a chair
and loohson a sbelf.pulls bisbandaway, sUchi.)
CountyAttornej; Here'sa nice mess.eie woien d.rawnearer)
'(Tb
Mrs. Peters(to theotherwoman): oh, her fruir; ir did Freeze. tbelawler.)
she
worried abour thar when it rurned so cold. she said rhe fire'd go out and
her jars vi'ouldbreak.
t
Sheriff(rises):well, can you beat rhe woman! Held for murder and worryin'
about her preserves.
Counj Attornel: I guessbefore we're through she may have something more
to worry about.
seriousrhan preserves
Hale: Well,women are used co worrying over trifles. (Thetwo uornenmooea little
closertogetber.)
CountJAfto;ne1 @ith thegallantry of ayungpo,litician): And yet,.for all their worwe-do wirhoui the lidies? (Tbewomendo not unbend.He
.Lr, *h"i-ould
to tbe sink,takesa dipperfulof u,aterfror.nthe.pail,and pouringit into a basin,
goes
"*ashu
his bands.Startin wipe them on the roller tou,el,turns it for a cleaner
place.) Dirry towels! (Kichshk footagainstthepans under theslnk.) Not much
bfa housekeeper,would you say'ladies?
Mrs. Hale (tttffU' There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm'
To be surel And yet (with a little bow to her) I know there are
County eioiiii'
s-omeDic(son counq/ farmhouseswhich do not have such roller towels.
(He giuesit a pull to exposeitsfull lengthagain)
Mrs.'Hale: Thosi towels'gecdirry awFul quick. Men's hands aren't always as
clean as rhey might be.
Countl Axornel: ehlloyal to yoursex, I see.But you and Mrs' Wright were
neighbors.I supposeyou werefriends, too.
t:rlrs.nite (shakingber head): I've nor seen much of her of late years. I've not
been in this house- it's more than ayeat.
Countl Attornel: And why was chat?You didn't like her?
Mrs. ilale: I liled her all well enough. Farmers'wiveshavetheir hands full, Mr.
Henderson.And then CountvAftornet: Yes-?
Mrs. FIale(loo{ingabout): It neverseemedavery cheerful-place'.
Counj Axorney"No-it's nor cheerful.I shouldn't sayshe had the homemaking instincr.
Mrs. Hile: Well, I don't know as Wright had, either.
Coun| Attorney You mean that they didn't get on very well?
Mrs. ilale: Nol I don'c mean anyrhing. Bur I don'c think a place'd be any cheerfuller forJohn Wright's being in it.
I'd lik; to talk more of that a little later. I want !o gecrhe lay
CountyAxornlt:
-uprrai..
to theleft wheretlye syps!1ad to a stair door.)
now. (He goes
o-f,hi.,gs
Sheriff: t ,.[p"r. anyrhing Mrs. Petersdoes'll be all righc. Sh9 rya1to take in
ro1n" .Loih.t foi her, |ou knol, and a few little things' We lefc in such a
hurry yesterday.
Countt Attornet: Yes,but I would like ro seewhat you take, Mrs. Peters,and
eyeout for anything that might be of use to us'
li""p
"tt Yes,Mr. Hendersonl (The womenlistento the men'sstePson tbestairs,
Mrs. Petirs:
thenlook aboutthehitcben.)
Mrs. Hale: I'd hare ro havemen coming inro my kitchen, snooping around and
crtrrcrzing.(shearrangesthepans undersink whichthelawSerhad shouedout of
place.)
Of courseit's no more than their dury.
Mrs.-Peters:
Mrs. Hale: Dury's all righr, buc I guessthar depury sheriff thac came out to
make the fire mighlhaue gor ilitrle oFrhis on. (Giuestherollertouela pull')
Wish I'd rhough-cof rhaisooner. Seemsmean to talk abouc her for not
up rvhen she had to come awayin such a hurry.
having rhings ih.t
"d
ro03
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ReadingDrama
Mrs. Peters(wbo baseoneto a small tablein tbeleft rear cornerof tbe roonr,and lfted
oneendof a toutelthatcouers
a pan): She had bread set.(Standsstill.)
Mrs. Hale (eys fxed on a loaf o.fbreadbesidethebreadbox,wbichis on a low shelfat tbe
othcrsideof the roont.Mouesslowll towardlr.): She u'as eoing ro puc this in
rhere.(Pichsup Loaftbenabruptll,dropsit.In a tnannero.frcturningtofaniliar
things.)It's a sl-rameabour l-rerfruit. I uonder if ir's all gone. (Ger,rup on the
chairand looks.)I chink rhere'ssome here rhar's all rirht, Mrs. Perers.Yesl'tere;(holdingit towardtbe a'indow) rhis is cherries, roo. (Loohingagain.)I
declareI believechat'sthe onlv one. (Getsdoun, bottlein herband.Goesto the
sink ttnd wipesit off on the outside.)She'll feel awful bad aFrerall her l.rard
u'ork in the l-rorweather.I rememberthe afternoon I put up m)'cherries
last summer. (Sheputsthebottleon thebigkitchentable,centerof theroom.Witb
a sigh,is about t0 sit down in the roching-chctit".
Beforesheis seatedredlizesa,hdt
chair it is;witb a slowlook at it, stepsback. the cbair u,bicl:shebastoucbedrocks
bachandfortb.)
Mrs. Peters:Weil, I musr get rhose chings from rhe fronr room closet.(SDegoes
to tbedoorat tberight, but after lookinginto theotherroom,stepsbach.)\bu coming rvith me, Mrs. Hale?You could help me carry rhen. (The1go in theother
t'oon1;redPpea4lvIrs.Peterscarnting a dressand skirt,Mrs. Halefollowutg u'ith a
pair of sboes.)
M1',ir's cold in there.(Sbeputstbeclothes
on tbebigtable,and hurriesto thestoue.)
Mrs. Hale (examiningthe skirt): Wrighr r.vasclose.I rhink maybe rhar's u'h)' she
kepr so much co herself.She didn'r evenbelong ro cheLadies'Aid. I suppose she felc she couldn't do her parr, and rhen you don'r enjov rhings
u'hen you feel shabby.I heard she used ro wear pretw clothes and be lively,
when shervasN'linnieFoster.one of rhe torvn girls singing in rhe choir. But
thar - oh, that u'asthirry yearsago.This all you rvanr ro take in?
Mrs. Peters:She said she wanted an apron. Funny thing ro \r/anr,for chereisn't
much ro get voLrdirty in jail, goodnessknorvs.Bur I supposejust ro make
l-rerfeel more natural. She said they s'as in rhe rop drau'er in rhis cupboard. Yes,here. And then her litrle sharvl rhar aiu'ayshung behind rhe
door. (Opensstair door and Looks.)Yes,here it ts. (Quickly shutsdoor leading
upstairs.)
Mrs.Hale (abruptlyntouingtou,ardber): Mrs. Perers?
Mrs. Peters:Yes,Mrs. Hale?
Mrs. Hale: Do you think she did ir?
Mrs. Peters(in a frighteneduoice): OI-r,I don'r knolv.
Mrs. Hale: Vell, I don't think she dic'I.Asking fbr an apron and her lirrle sharvl.
Vzorryingabour her fruit.
Mrs. Peters(startsto speak,glancesup, u'herefootstepsare heardin tberoomaboue.In a
low uoice):Mr. Peterssaysit looks bad for her. Mr. Henderson is au,ful sarcasticin a speechand he'll make fun of her sayin'shedidn't u'akeup.
Mrs. Hale: Well. I euessJohn Wrighr didn'c rvakeu'hen rhey rr'asslipprng rhat
rope under his neck.
Mrl Peters:No, it's strange.ft must havebeendone arvful crafry and still. They
sayir was such a - funny way co kill a man, rigging it all up like thar.
Mrs. Hale: Thar's jusc whar Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in rhe house. He
savschat'srvhat l'recan't understand.
Mrs.Peters:Mr. Henderson said cominq out that rvhat was neededfor the case
was a motive; somerhing ro show
o. - r.,dden feeling.
"rlg.r,
Glaspell/Trifles
roo{
Ivtrs.Hale (rt4tois stdncltngb1 the table): Wel], I don'r see any signs.of anger
around l-rere.(Sheprit it, hand on tbedisb towel phich lieson the table,stands
)t tabie,one-halfof whkh is clean,the otherhalf rnus1.) It s wiped
totoktngdou,n
ro h..-.. (ltlakesA moueas tf to"fnishuork, tbenturnsand loohsat loaf of.bread
outsicletie breaclbox.Dropstouil. In that t'oiceof cotningbackto fantiliar things)
Vonder horv they arehnding things upstairs' I-h"p9 she had it a little
Locktng her up
more red-up up rfuere.You know, ir seemskrnd of sneaking.
house to cufn
her
own
to
get
trying
and
our
here
then
coming
in ro$,n ar-rd
aeainsther!
irfrs.Peters:Brtt, N{rs.Hale, the larv is the law'
'ris. (UnbuXoningher codt.) Better loosen uP your things,
lyIrs.Hale: I s'pose
u,on'r feel rhem u'hen you go out. (Mrs. Peterstakesoff her
You
Perers.
Mrs.
hd.ng
it on hookat backof room,standslookingat theunderpart
to
tippet,
soes
fur
o.fthesmallcornertable.)
and thel
Llrs.beters:She rvas piecing a quilr. (Shebringsthe largeseu,ingbdshet
brigbt
the
lookat
Pieces.)
Mrs. Hale: lt's a iog^cabinpartern. Prett/, isn't ir? I wonder if she was goin'to
haie beenheardcomingdown tbestairs.The
q.,it, ir or jusr"knot rr) @ootsteps
CounryAxornel')
the
and
Hale
iheriff enteisfollowedbv
quill it or just knot it! (Themenlaug!,
to
rvas
going
iF
sl-re
,r,orrd",i'h."
Sheriff:
tbeu,omenlookabasbed
)
Countl Attornel ftubbinghii handsouerthes.toue):Frank's fire didn't do much up
r-here,did'ir? Weil,iec'sgo our to chebarn and gecthat clearedtp. (Themert
go or.rtside.)
lylrs.'Hale(reslntfutj): I don't knorv as rhere's anything so strange,our takin'
up our Ume lr'lih little things while we're rvaiting-for th91 19 get the eviI don't
a blockwith decision.)
dince. (Sbesitsdotanat thebi{tablesmoothingout
s e ea s i t ' s a n v r h i n gc o l a u g ha b o u c '
Ofcourse rhey've go1 awfyl important things on
NIrs.peters(apologeticiih,):
*(Pzz
lk ip a chairandjoins Mrl Hale at thetable')
their minds.
Hale (examiningaritherblock): Mts. Peters,look at this one' Here, this is
It/trs.
it has
rhe one she ,rai rvorking on, and look ar the sewing! All the rest of'lvhy,
ic
place!
the
over
all
been so nice and even."And look ac this! It's
thel
this
said
bas
sbe
(After
rvas
about!
whar
she
looks as if she didn'r know
lookat eacbother,tbenstart to gldncebackat tbedoor.After an instant Mrs' Hale
haspulleddt a knotand rippedtbeseu'ing.)
Ol.r,u'l'ratare )'ou doing, Mrs. Hale?
LIrs.Pet-ers:
LIrs.Hale (mittl$: Just pulling oui a scitch or two that's noc sewedvery good'
(Threacling)needle.)Bad sewing always made me fidgery'
(niuous\): I don't think u'e ought to touch things',
Mrs.'Peters
Hale:'I,ll justtnish up this end. (Sidden\ stoppingandleaningforward.)
LLrs;.
Mrs. Peters?
N[rs.Peters:Yes,N{rs.Hale?
Ivlrs.Hale: \\'hac do you suPPoseshelvas so nervous about?
Mrs. peters:Oh - I don,r k.to-. I don't know as she was nervous. I somerimes
loo,ksat
servarvful queer u,hen I'm just tired. (Mrs. Hale startsto say.sometbing
Mrs.Peters,thengoesonsewing.)Well,Imustgerthesethingsrwappedup
Thel' may be thiough soo.rei rhan we think' (Puxingapronand othertbings
togeihu'.)i,'.'onderuiere I can find a pieceof paper,and string' (Pcses')
Mrs. Hale: In that cuPboard,maYbe.
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ReadingDrama
Mrs.
(ryofilCin cupboard):Why,here,sa bird-cage.(Holdsit up.) Drd she
.Peters
havea bird,Mrs. Hale?
Mrs. Hale: why, I don't know rvhethershe did or nor- I've nor beenhere
for so
long. There was a man around-lasryear seling canariescheap,buc I
don't
know as she rook one; maybeshe drd. She usel, ro sing r..r pi"rry herself.
Mr'
(glancingaround): Seemsfunny ro think of a uiri here.Bui she musr
leter1
havehad one, or why would shehavea cage?I wonder whar happenedro it?
Mrs. Hale: I s'posemaybe checar gor ir.
Mrs. Peters:No, she didn^'rhave a car. She'sgor rhar feeling some people
have
abour cam-being afraid of rhem. My ca-rgor in her .oJwas real
upset and askedme to rake it out.
"rrd'rhe
Mrs. Hale: My sisrerBessiewas iike chat. eueer, ain,cit?
Mr' Pete.rs.(examiningthe
cage):why, look ar this door. Ir's broke. one hinge is
pulled aparr.
Mrs. Hale (lookingtoo):Looks as if someonemusr havebeen roush wirh
it.
ltys lete_rs:Why, yes.(Shebringsthecageforward and putsit on tbeiable.)
Mrs'
wrsh if they'regoing to find any evidenie rhey'd be
I don,t
!!.ale:,I
"bouiit.
like this olace.
Mrs. Peters:But I'm awFulglad you came wirh me, Mrs. Hale. Ir would be
lonesome for me sittinq herealone.
Mrs. Hale: Ir would, wJuldn't it? (Droppingher sewing.)But I rell you whar
I do
wish, Mrs. Perers.I wish I had come oi"r ro-.ri-es when sh'ewashere. I
(lookingaroundtheroom)-wish I had.
Mrs. Peters:Bur of course you were awful busy, Mrs. Hale-your house
and
your children.
Mrs. Hale: r could've come. I srayed away becauseit weren't cheerful-and
that's why l.ought to have iome. I-I've never liked this place. Maybe
becauseit's down in a hollow and you don'Eseerhe road. I dlnno whar
ir
it's a lonesomeplace and alrvayswas.I wish I had come over ro see
it,.b"!
Minnie Fosrersomerimes.I can seenow- (Shahes
herhead.)
Mrs. Peters:well, you musrn't.reproach yourselF.Mrs. Hale. Somehow we jusr
don't seehow it is wirh orher folks unril - somerhing rurns up.
Mrs. Hrl:.__Tg, having children makes lesswork - bur it"makes a!.rier
house,
and Wrighr our ro work all day,and no companywhen he did come in. Did
you knowJohn Wright, Mrs. peters?
Mrs. Peterr.'Nor ro know him; I've seenhim in rorvn. They say he was
a good
man.
Mrs. Hale: Yes.-good; he didn't drink, and kepr his word as welr as
most, I
guess,and-paid his debrs.But he was a hard man, Mrs. perers.
Jusr ro pass
rhe time of day with him- (shiuers.)Lrke araw wind rhat qersio rhe bone.
'"'
(P11tr: her.e1'e
falling on the cage.)I shourd rhink she ,uolld
wanred a
Drrcl.lJur whar do you supposewent with it?
Mrs. Peters:I don't know, unl-ss ir got sick and died. (shereaches
ouerand swings
thebrokendoo4swingsit again,bothutomenwatchit.)
Mrs. Hale: You weren'r raised round here, wereyo u? (tvtrs.petersshakesber
bead.)
You didn'r know- her?
Mrs.Peters:Noc rill cheybrouqhc her yesrerdav.
Mrs. Hale: She-come to rhiik of ir,'she-walkind of like a bird herself-real
ty.., .11.,prerry bur kind of dmid and-flurrery. Horv_she_did_
change. (silence:then as ifsnuch b1 a happltthoughtand relieuedto get back
to
Glaspell/ Trifles
euerydalthings.)Tell you what, Mrs. Peters,why don't you take the quilt in
wich you? It mighr take up her mind.
Mrs.Peters:Wh1',I think that's a real nice idea,Mrs. Hale' There couldn't possibly be any objection to it could there?Now, just what would l_take?I wonder if her patchesare in here- and her chings. (Tbe1loohin tbesewingbashet.)
Mrs. Hale: Here'ssome red. I expectthis has got sewing things tn it. (Bringsout
a fanq box.).What a pretry box. Looks like someching somebod/wouid
giu" y-ou.Maybe her scissorsare in here.(Opensbox.Swdden\putsherhandto
her nose.)Why- (Mrs. Petersbendsneare4 then turns herface awal.) There's
somerhingwrappedup in this pieceof silk.
Mrs.Peters:Whv. this isn't her scissors.
Mrs, Hale (liftingtbe silk): Oh, Mrs. Peters- t'r's- (Mrs. Petersbendscloser.)
Mrs. Peters: It's the bird.
Mrs.Hale (jumpingup): But, Mrs. Peters- look at itl Irs neck! Look at its neckl
It's ail - ocher side to.
Mrs. Peters: Somebody - wrung - its - neck. (Their eies meet.A look of growing
of itorror. StEs are heardoutside.Mrs. Hale slipsbox wnderquib
comprehension,
piecjes,
and sinks into her cbair.Enter Sheriff and Countl Axornejt. Mrs. Peters
nses.)
CounSt Attornel (as one turning from serioustbings to linle pleasantries):WeIl,
ladies,haveyou decidedwhether she was going to quilt it or knoc it?
Mrs. Peters:We think shewas going to - knot it.
bird+age.)Has rhe
CountjtAttorney Well, that's interesting,I'm sure. (Seeingtbe
bird flown?
Mrs. Hale (puxingmore quib piecesouer*)e box): We think the - cat got it.
Countl Axirnel-(preoccipied): Is there a. cat? (Mrs. Hale glancesin a quick couert
wa1at Mrs. Peters.)
Mrs.Peters:Well, noc now.They're superstitious,you know They leave.
Countl Attornejt (to SheriffPeters,continuingan interruptedconuersation):No sign
ai all of anyonehaving come from the outside. Their own rope. Now let's
It would have
go up again and go over it pieceby piece.(Thq stdrtuPstairs.)
io have-beensomeone who knew just rhe - (Mrs. Peterssitsdown. The tu'o
uomen sittherenot lookingat oneano*)er,but as if peeringinto somethingand at
thesametime holdingbach.'Whentheittalk now it b in tbe manner offeelingtheir
udj ot)ersrangeground, as if afraid of wbat tbel are sajting but as if tbel cannot
helpsajngit.)
Mrs.H)le: Sh; liked the bird. She was going to bury ic in that precrybox.
Mrs. peters(in a whisper); when I was a girt - my kitren - there was a boy took a
herface
hatchet, and before my eyes- and beforeI could get there - (Couers
an instant.) If cheyhadn'r held me back I would have- (caXhesherself,looks
upstairswherestepsare heard,fabersweah\) -hurt him.
Mrs. Hale (witb a slow look around her): I wonder how it would seem never co
havehad any children around. (Pause')No, Wright wouldn't like chebird a ching thar sang.She used to sing. He killed that, too.
'We
don't know who killed the bird.
Mrs.Peters(mouinguneasi\):
\Vrighc.
Mrl Hale: I knewJohn
Mrs. Peters:Ir was an awful ihing was done in rhis house that night, Mrs. Hale.
Killing a man while he slept, slipping a rope around his neck rhat choked
the life out of him.
rooi
roo8
ReadingDrama
Mrs. IIale: His neck. Choked rhe life out of him. (Her handgoesout and restson
thebn"d-cage.)
Mrs. Peters(utithrisinguoice):We don'r knowwho killed him. \\zedon'rhnow.
Mrs. Ilale (her own feeling not interrupted): lf there'd been years and ;'ears of
norhing, then a bird co sing ro you, ir rvould be arvful- srill, after the bird
\\'asstill.
Mrs. Peters(somethingwitbin ber speaking):I know whar srillness is. When ',ve
homesreadedin Dakota, and my first baby died-afrer he was rwo years
old, and me with no other rhen
Mrs. Hale (mouing): How soon do you supposethey'll be rhrough looking for
rhe evidence?
Mrl Peters:I know what srillness is. (Pullingherselfbach.)The lau' has gor ro
purrishcrime,Mrs. Hale.
Mrs. Hale (not ds if ansu.'eringthat):I lvisl.ryou'd seenlv{innie Fosrer n'hen she
wore a white dressu'irh biue ribbons and stood up rherein chechoir and
sang.(A looharoundtheroom.)Oh,I wishI'd come over here once in a rvhile!
That wasa crimel That u'asa crime! Who's going ro punish that?
Mrs. Peters(loohingupstairs):We musrn'r - rake on.
Mrs. Hale: I might have known she neededhelp! I know hou' rhings can be Forwomen. I teli you, it's queer,Mrs. Peters.We live close rogerherand rr'e
live far apart. We all go through rhe samerhings-ir's all jusr a differenr
kind of the same thing. (Brwshes
bere1tes,
noticingtbebottleoffruit, reaches
out
for it.) If I was you I wouldn't rell hc'rher fruir was gone.Tell her ir ain't. Tell
her it's all righc.Take chisin co proveir co her. She-she rnayner.erknorv
whetherit wasbroke or noc.
I\Lrs.Peters(takestheboxle,loohsabowtfor somethingto arap it in; takespetticoatfrom
tbeclothesbroughtfrom theotherroonL uer))neruousljtbeginswinding thb around
theboxle.In a fake uoice):My, it's a good thing che men couldn'r hear us.
Wouldn't they just laugh! Gerting all stirred up over a little thing like adead canary.As if that could have anyrhing to do wirh-with-wouldn'r
they laugb!(The menare heardcomingdownstairs.)
Mrs. Hale (wnderber breath): Mavbe rhey would - maybe rhey wouldn'r.
CountyAttorneTt:No, Peters,ir's all perfecrly clear excepra reasonfor doing ir.
But you know juries rvhenic comesto women. If cherewas some definire
thing. Something ro sho'"v-somerhingto make a story about-a rhing
that would connect up u'ith this strange way of doing ir- (The women's
elesmeetfor an instant.Enter Halefyom outerdoor.)
Hale: Well,I've got the team around. Pretty cold our rhere.
Countl Attornel: I'm going to sray here a while by myself. (Tb the Sberiff.)Yot
can send Frank out for me, can't you? I want to go over everything.I'm not
satisfiedthat we can't do better.
Shertff: Do you want to seervharMrs. Petersis going ro rake in? (ThelawT'er
goes
to thetable,pichsup theapron,laugbs.)
Countl Attorney Oh, i guessthey're nor very dangerouschings rhe ladies have
picked ovt. (Mouesa feu' tbingsabout, disturbing the quib pieceswhich corcr
the box. Stepsback.) No, Mrs. Peters doesn't need supervising. For char
matter a sheriff's u,ife is married to the law. Ever chink of ir rhar way,Mrs.
Peters?
Mrs. Peters:Not- just that way.
Glaspell/ Titfles
Shertff (chuchling): Married to the larv. (Mouestouard the other room.) I just rvant you
io co-. in here a minute, George. We ought to take a look at these windows.
CountTtAttornel $co.ffing\): Oh, windows!
Sheriff: We'll be righr our, Mr. Hale. (Hale goes ou.tside.Tbe Sherff follows the
Coturty AXornel into the other roottt. Thcn Mrs. Hale rises, hands tigbt togetber,
tookiig intensell at Mrs. Peters,whoseeles mdke a slow turn, fnalll neeting Mrs.
Hale'i A ntomint Mrs. Hale holdshe4 then her own eys point the ua'g to where the
box k concealed.Sudden\ Mrs. Peters throws bach qwilt piecesand n'ies to put tbe
box in the bag she is u,earing. It is too big. She opens box, star\ t9 take bird out,
cannot touchit, goesto pieces,stands there helpless.Sound of a knob tu,rningin the
other room. NIri. Hate snatchesthe box and puts it in tbe pocket of her big coat.
Enter Coun4, Attornel and Sheriff.)
Counry Attornel (ficetiousfi): Well, Henry, at least rve found out that she was
nor going ro quilt it. She rvas going to rvhat is it you call it, ladies?
Mrs. Hale (hcr lsandagainstber pocket); \\,/ecall it - knoc it, lr'1r.Henderson.
Curtain
CoNslprnRtloNs
FoR Cnrrrcel
THtNxrNc AND'WRITING
r. FIRsr REsPoNsE.Describe tl.re setting of this play. What kind of atmosphere is esrablishedby che derails in rhe opening scene?Does the atmospherechange through the courseofthe play?
z. where ;rre Nlrs. Hale and Mrs. Perers$'hile Mr. Hale explains to the county
arrof ne),horv the murder u'asdiscovered?How'does rheir locarion suggest
rhe relationship betrveenche men and the woffIen in tl-replay?
3. Whar kind of person u'as Minnie Foster beForeshe married? How do you
thir.rk her marriage affected her?
4. CharaccerizeJohn Wright. lfhy did l.riswife kill hirn?
5. Why' do the men fail to see the clues that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters discover?
6. What is the significance of the birdcage and the dead bird? Why do Mrs'
Hale and Nlrs. Petersrespond so srronglv to them? How do you respond?
7. Wh1'don't lvlrs. Hale and Mrs. Perersrevealthe evidencethey have uncovered?What rvould you have done?
B. Hory cto the rnen's conversations and actions reveal their arcirudes coward
$'onren?
9. Why do you think Glaspell allorvs us only to hear about-Mr. and Mrs'
Wright? What is the effect of their never appearing on stage?
ro. Does 1,our impression of Mrs. wrighr change during the course of the
play?Ifso, rvhat changesit?
rr. Whar is the significance of rl.replay's last line, spoken !l N tt' Hale: "We
call ir - knot ir] Mr. Henderson"?Explain *'hat you rhink rhe tone of Mrs.
Hale's Voiceis rvhen she saystl'risline. whar is she feeling?what are you
feeling?
rz. E.xplain che significance of the play's citle. Do you thtnkT|ifles or "AJury of
Her Peers,"Glaspell's title for il.re short story version of rhe p.lay,is more
appropriare? Can you rhink of orher ticles rhar caprure che play's central
concerns?