Examining a One-Act Play: Trifles

Objective for this Page: To examine and to infer the significance of Glaspell's stage directions and set descriptions.

Okay . . . it's time to take a look at a short play and see what conclusions we can draw about how it works. Here are the stage directions for the opening of the play Trifles. Significant details are underlined and linked to a page describing their importance.

Trifles: a Play in One Act

by Susan Glaspell

[SCENE: The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of JOHN WRIGHT, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having been put in order -- unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the bread-box, a dish-towel on the table -- other signs of incompleted work. At the rear the outer door opens and the SHERIFF comes in followed by the COUNTY ATTORNEY and HALE. The SHERIFF and HALE are men in middle life, the COUNTY ATTORNEY is a young man; all are much bundled up and go at once to the stove. They are followed by the two women -- the SHERIFF'S wife first; she is a slight wiry woman, a thin nervous face. MRS. HALE is larger and would ordinarily be called more comfortable looking, but she is disturbed now and looks fearfully about as she enters. The women have come in slowly, and stand close together near the door.]

To see a complete version of the play with hyperlinks similar to those above, click here.

Notice that we can't be completely certain about many of our inferences. We might find out that nothing at all has happened, that these people have arrived for a party or some sort of get-together and that, in a moment, the hostess will reenter the kitchen to continue preparing the food. Most of us, however, would probably assume that something has happened. But what?

???????????

When we ask that question, we are beginning to look at "dramatic structure." We will save that topic until later. Meanwhile, let's continue looking at the play, but again, just set descriptions and stage directions.

Turn to the play in your textbook or, if you prefer, click here to go to an online version:

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The URL for this page is http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/drama/readtrifles1.htm