Discussion Questions

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?

Personally, I think it's important to take into account all aspects of a crime: emotional and legal. And yet, the country we live in, as well as most countries in the world, see murder as murder. But in some special cases, people are excused. A crime is a crime. The law defines it. But I am torn on this issues because of emotions came into account, then so many people would get their chargers cleared because of the excuse of emotions. A while ago, I read something about a girl who was molested by her cousin in Oklahoma. No charges were pressed because the family ignored it, and the girl forgot about incident until she was fifteen. After it had happened, the girls grandmother confronted the boy, and he stated that he was dreaming about his girlfriend, and that he was sorry. Should he have been forgiven? Of course not! and that would be the issue if emotions came into account in the matter of legality. In Trifles, I found myself praising the fact that the woman took the box, because I feel as though any normal human would react in the same way, but, the law does not apologize, and that could either be a good thing or a bad thing.

4. The plot relies primarily on symbolism and some foreshadowing to develop the plot. Which elements are symbolic? How do you know?

First and foremost, the kitchen, where most of the play and conversation takes place, is symbolic but only to the women. In the time where the play is set (or where it seems to be set), women were closely associated with kitchens, you know, the typical housewife stuff. The men are sitting around criticizing this women's kitchen, picking it apart, pick her apart, probably much like her husband did. Also, the canary (clearly) being strangled. The reader is put under the impression that her husband strangled the canary, and in turn, probably emotionally or mentally strangling her, ultimately, causing her to kill him.

I know this is off topic, but I really enjoyed this play and breaking it down. I hope everyone is well.