Discussion Questions

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?

The version I preferred was "A Jury of Her Peers". It was a shorter version, and while I enjoy long stories, I enjoy even more when stories get straight to the main point of what the story is involving. Trifles was definitely the version where the reader had to try and interpret the story for themselves. In the short story version, you are able to know what Mrs. Hale is doing and thinking. The elements seemed better in "A Jury of Her Peers" since there are details provided about the characters. Trifles is nice to read through see the interactions between the characters, but the length of the play makes it a little tedious to read after a while.

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

There were quite a few symbols in the story. The canary died in the same way the murder occurred, and the death of the bird caused Mrs. Wright to snap since it was the one thing that brought her happiness. I looked up the word trifles and it can mean "a matter, affair, or circumstance of trivial importance or significance", or, "a dessert usually consisting of custard and cake soaked in wine or liqueur, and jam, fruit, or the like." Her jar of trifles were significant to her even if they were considered to be of no importance to others. The uneven quilt was symbolic as well, since it could be seen that there was something that distracted her from completing it correctly, or the tools to create the quilt could be used for different motives.