Question

Read the following scene from Trifles.

COUNTY ATTORNEY. Let’s talk about that later, Mr. Hale. I do want to talk about that, but tell now just what happened when you got to the house.

HALE. I didn’t hear or see anything; I knocked at the door, and still it was all quiet inside. I knew they must be up, it was past eight o’clock. So I knocked again, and I thought I heard somebody say, “Come in.” I wasn’t sure, I’m not sure yet, but I opened the door—this door (indicating the door by which the two women are still standing), and there in that rocker—(pointing to it) sat Mrs. Wright. (They all look at the rocker.)

What would be one advantage of watching this scene as opposed to reading it?

Answer 1

One advantage that visualizing, instead of reading, the scene being described in this excerpt would have would be that you would actually be able to relate to both the emotions and the action being played out. By seeing all that is being described by Mr. Hale, visualizing it with him, you would actually be able to relate, and feel the emotions that such a tale generates, in those that are being part of the scene. Reading gives you a sense through words, but visualization allows you to penetrate much more into the scene and feel as the characters inside the scene feel.

Step-by-step explanation:

"Trifles" is a one-act play that was written by Susan Glaspell and which was first presented to the public in 1916. The play narrates the events that take place during the investigation of the murder of Mr. Wright, and how the scenes and events of the murder took place.

In this particular scene, when Mr. Hale is describing to the county attorney what he saw, and how he felt, about the circumstances that he encountered when he found Mr. Wright dead, and Mrs. Wright just sitting peacefully in a chair in the kitchen, the feelings that you get from the description are great. However, you cannot help but get a sense of disconnection, since what Hale is doing is a recounting of events.

However, when you actually visualize his account, and see what he is describing, instead of reading, you are able to feel related to the account, and actually feel with him the severity and sharpness of the emotions and sensations generated by the gruesome discovery, and the shocking lack of emotions displayed by Mrs. Wright, despite the terrible event of her husband´s death.

Answer 2

"Trifles" is a one-act play written by author Susan Gaspell. It was first performed at the Wharf Theater in Massachusetts on August 8th, 1916. It tells the story of how Mr Hale found Mrs Wright acting strangely while her husband was strangled by a rope in the room upstairs. The whole play happens while Mr Hale is recounting the events to the county attorney at the farm house.

The advantage of watching the scene described in the question as opposed to reading it, would be that the audience would be able to watch all of the interactions that the characters make, and not only read about them. When Mr Hale points at the rocker or at the women standing at the door, the audience would be able to look at the things he is pointing at. This would bring more detail to the scene and therefore the audience's experience would be enhanced.