Discussion Questions Week of 10 12

Discussion Questions Week of 10/12 English 103 Fall 2009

1. Which “version” do you prefer – “A Jury of Her Peers” or Trifles?
Why? Which elements seem better demonstrated/conveyed in the version of your choice? (You will need to provide a basic interpretation to answer)

2. Consider the lecture on Trifles, and this question particularly: “What constitutes a crime and under what circumstances? That is, what’s the crime at hand . . . The legal crime, or the emotional one?

3. Consider the lecture on feminism (if you’ve read it or plan to; it’s supplemental, but should be read if you are planning at all to use feminism as a lens for your research paper). Do you think the text is feminist in nature? Why? How? Why not?(You will need to provide a clear, working definition of feminism to answer this – whatever yours is.
4. The play relies primarily on symbolism and some foreshadowing to develop the plot. Which elements are symbolic? How do you know?
5. Consider the question above . . . if the play relies on those literary elements, on which do “A Jury of Her Peers”? Do you find similarities in terms of method of development (characterization, symbolism, point of view, tone, plot, etc.) Major departures?