What are the clues that lead the women in “Trifles” to discover the murder and its motive? Why do the men fail to see the clues that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters discover? Do you think the women were justified in covering up for Mrs. Wright? What is the significance of the play’s last line, spoken by Mrs. Hale: “We call it–knot it, Mr. Henderson.”

Part 1

1. Relying on Freytag’s pyramid (p. 851), outline the plot structure of Glaspell’s “Trifles,” and Ives’ “The Blizzard.”

2. What are the clues that lead the women in “Trifles” to discover the murder and its motive?

3. Why do the men fail to see the clues that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters discover?

4. Do you think the women were justified in covering up for Mrs. Wright?

5. What is the significance of the play’s last line, spoken by Mrs. Hale: “We call it–knot it, Mr. Henderson.”

6. What is Neil’s profession in David Ives’ “The Blizzard” and how is it significant?

7. What is Jenny’s view of Neil’s work?

8. Cite examples of foreshadowing in “The Blizzard” and explain their significance.

9. What is the significance of the valise, the only prop in “The Blizzard”?

10. What happens to the characters at “The Blizzard’s” ending?