VCCS Litonline Introduction to Literature English 112 (English Composition II)

Well, they probably should, but that statement misses the boat when it comes to expressing the theme of this play. The statement is didactic. Writers tend not to give us instructions. They tend rather to help us see more clearly. Susan Glaspell certainly wants us to see that something is amiss between men and women, but she isn't saying that we should or shouldn't do anything. Like most writers, she is focusing our attention on a situation; what we choose to do or not do about it is up to us.

This is an important point. There is a fine line between showing us that men fail to respect women's abilities and telling us that men should respect women's abilities. But it's a line that good writers don't usually cross.

Try again

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