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American Literature Exam 3 Questions
and Answers (100% Correct Answers)
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Discuss Glaspell's use of symbolism in the play Trifles. How do these
symbols relate to the play's theme?
Ans: The themes of Trifles are sexism and gender inequality. The canary,
who was strangled by Mr. Wright, represented Minnie and the bird's cage
represented her oppression/marriage to Mr. Wright. The Bird's death
© 2026 Assignment
represented the last straw for Minnie leading her to kill Mr. Wright in the
same manner that he killed the bird. Also, Minnie's messy quilting works
represented her messy and unstable mental state. Another symbol within
the story is the preserves. The jelly/jam get frozen/ruined represented
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Minnie's sanity in the freezing setting of the play. These symbols
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ultimately tie back to the oppression of women during that time showing
the domestic abuse Minnie endured from her husband, which was
socially acceptable, until she lost her sanity and killed her husband.
Compare and contrast the men and the women in the play, Trifles. How
are these characters different, and why is this difference significant?
Ans: The women seemed more submissive whereas the men are more
dominant in the play. The women appeared small and soft spoken yet
mischievous. They are observant and use the evidence to ultimately solve
the crime through viewing the crime through a personal point of view.
For example, Mrs. Hale and Peters found the cage, the strangled bird, and
Mrs. Wright's messy quilt works to conclude that there was domestic
abuse under the Wright's household resulting in Minnie killing her
husband. The men in the play are sexist, has no respect for the women,
and they treat the women like they're stupid. Their confidence and strong
tone viewed the crime through facts and evidence resulting in them
accusing Mrs. Wright of murder right away like when they criticize her
house keeping. Their stubborn mindset stayed the same throughout the
play leaving the crime unsolved.
Discuss how Trifles offers a critique of American culture during the
1920's.
Ans: Trifles criticized the gender inequality in 1920s America when
women didn't have a voice or a right to vote. This play was written as a
part of the suffrage movement against the oppression of women. In the
play, women like Mrs. Hale and Peters were not taken seriously - the
American Literature Exam 3 Questions
and Answers (100% Correct Answers)
Already Graded A+
Discuss Glaspell's use of symbolism in the play Trifles. How do these
symbols relate to the play's theme?
Ans: The themes of Trifles are sexism and gender inequality. The canary,
who was strangled by Mr. Wright, represented Minnie and the bird's cage
represented her oppression/marriage to Mr. Wright. The Bird's death
© 2026 Assignment
represented the last straw for Minnie leading her to kill Mr. Wright in the
same manner that he killed the bird. Also, Minnie's messy quilting works
represented her messy and unstable mental state. Another symbol within
the story is the preserves. The jelly/jam get frozen/ruined represented
Guru01 - Stuvia
Minnie's sanity in the freezing setting of the play. These symbols
Expert
ultimately tie back to the oppression of women during that time showing
the domestic abuse Minnie endured from her husband, which was
socially acceptable, until she lost her sanity and killed her husband.
Compare and contrast the men and the women in the play, Trifles. How
are these characters different, and why is this difference significant?
Ans: The women seemed more submissive whereas the men are more
dominant in the play. The women appeared small and soft spoken yet
mischievous. They are observant and use the evidence to ultimately solve
the crime through viewing the crime through a personal point of view.
For example, Mrs. Hale and Peters found the cage, the strangled bird, and
Mrs. Wright's messy quilt works to conclude that there was domestic
abuse under the Wright's household resulting in Minnie killing her
husband. The men in the play are sexist, has no respect for the women,
and they treat the women like they're stupid. Their confidence and strong
tone viewed the crime through facts and evidence resulting in them
accusing Mrs. Wright of murder right away like when they criticize her
house keeping. Their stubborn mindset stayed the same throughout the
play leaving the crime unsolved.
Discuss how Trifles offers a critique of American culture during the
1920's.
Ans: Trifles criticized the gender inequality in 1920s America when
women didn't have a voice or a right to vote. This play was written as a
part of the suffrage movement against the oppression of women. In the
play, women like Mrs. Hale and Peters were not taken seriously - the
