DQ For Week of 10/12

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)

I preferred the short story version, “A Jury of Her Peers” rather than the play. As I read both versions, it seemed like the play gives more interaction between the characters trying to understand what occurred, but this version allows to hear what other people saw and heard when they went to talk to Mrs. Wright. It is more straight to the point as to what they saw and from the play it mostly asks questions. I like the idea of trying to figure out what happened through objects and looking at the surroundings, but interactions with others as how Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peter had with Mrs. Wright helps understand even more. The short story allows the reader to know what the exact emotions, facial expressions, and tones Mrs. Wright had when confronted about what had occurred to her husband. This tells a lot about a person, the way they act when confronted about a situation.

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

I found that the bird and the birdcage both seem to be symbolic in the play. The canary is a symbol of Mrs. Wright and the cage also relates to Mrs. Wright but symbolizes a sort of imprisonment for Mrs. Wright from her husband. These symbols allow the reader to understand some part of the relationship Mr. and Mrs. Wright had amongst each other and what type of people they were. Even Mrs. Hale tells she saw Mrs. Wright like a bird, “real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and fluttery.” Another important symbols is the unevenly sewn quilt. Mrs. Hale and Peter make note that she was a quilter and maybe taking the quilt could help her mind clear up a bit. The fact that it is sewn unevenly shows that she could have had several things on her mind.