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Literary Criticism Homework Assignment: Close Reading of Trifles by Susan Glaspell
This assignment is worth 10% of your overall grade. You will complete a close reading of Trifles, analyzing the following key elements: Atmosphere and Setting, Character Analysis, Symbolism, and Narrative Structure. Use the prompts and strategies we have studied in class to guide your analysis.
Format Instructions:
Your assignment should be structured with clear subheadings for each section:
Atmosphere and Setting (300-400 words)
Character Analysis (300-400 words)
Symbolism (300-400 words)
Narrative Structure (300-400 words)
Each section will carry 10 marks:
6 marks for close reading and analysis
2 marks for accuracy of evidence
2 marks for fluency and accuracy of writing
1. Atmosphere and Setting
(6 marks for analysis + 2 marks for evidence + 2 marks for writing)
For this section, focus on the opening stage directions of Trifles. Analyze the detailed descriiption of the scene and discuss:
How is the scene set?
Consider the disarray of the kitchen, unwashed pans, and the general sense of neglect.
Why is it set where it is?
Why did Glaspell choose the kitchen as the primary setting?
How does the setting add to the atmosphere of the story and its theme?
Think about how the setting mirrors the isolation and oppression experienced by the absent character, Mrs. Wright, and how it contributes to the suspense and thematic exploration of gender roles.
What is Atmosphere and Setting?
Atmosphere refers to the mood or tone established in a text, often through the setting and descriiptive details. Setting refers to the time and place where the events of a narrative occur. In drama, setting also includes stage directions that describe the physical environment and influence how the audience interprets the characters and their actions.
2. Character Analysis
(6 marks for analysis + 2 marks for evidence + 2 marks for writing)
Choose ONE of the following female characters for your analysis: Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Peters, or the absent Mrs. Wright.
What function does the character serve within the play?
Consider their role in uncovering the truth and how they challenge or conform to societal expectations.
How does the character contribute to the play’s themes?
Examine how each woman’s perspective reflects or contrasts with the male characters and how their actions, or in the case of Mrs. Wright, her absence, contribute to the play’s central conflict.
What is Character Analysis?
Character analysis involves exploring a character’s traits, motivations, and development within the text. This includes understanding how a character’s actions and relationships reveal the themes and underlying messages of the play.
3. Symbolism
(6 marks for analysis + 2 marks for evidence + 2 marks for writing)
Choose ONE of the following symbols: the birdcage, the canary bird, the broken jar, or the incomplete quilt.
How does the symbol function within the text?
Analyze its deeper meaning and how it reflects the play’s themes.
How is the symbol connected to the theme of the play?
Consider how the object relates to the larger issues of gender, domesticity, and freedom or confinement.
What is Symbolism?
Symbolism is the use of an object, figure, or event to represent a deeper, often abstract meaning. In drama, symbols help convey themes and emotions that may not be expressed directly through dialogue.
4. Narrative Structure
(6 marks for analysis + 2 marks for evidence + 2 marks for writing)
Analyze the narrative structure of the play:
How does the play begin, progress, and end?
Think about how the investigation unfolds and the gradual shift of focus from the men’s investigation to the women’s discovery.
How is the narrative structure effective in relation to the theme and title of the play?
Discuss how the structure reflects the idea of “trifles”.
What is Narrative Structure?
Narrative structure refers to the way a story is organized and presented. In a play, this includes the sequence of events and how they are arranged to build tension, reveal character, and develop themes.
Suggestions for Writing Good Answers:
Close Reading: Pay attention to specific details in the text, such as word choices, descriiptions, and dialogue. Make sure your analysis is based on these details.
Use Evidence: Support your claims with direct quotes from the play. Be sure to integrate them smoothly into your sentences.
Fluency and Clarity: Write clearly and concisely. Make sure your ideas flow logically from one point to the next.
Engage with the Themes: Show how your analysis of atmosphere, characters, symbols, and structure connects to the play’s themes, particularly around gender roles and societal expectations.
Submission:
Due: 2nd November 2024
Word Limit: 300-400 words per section
Total Marks: 40 marks (10 marks per section)
Good luck with your close reading and analysis!
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