Question

Is John Wright of "Trifles" a "good man" as Mrs. Peters claims? Why or why not?

a) Yes, he is a good man as he provides for his family and keeps his home well-maintained.
b) No, he is not a good man as he mistreated his wife and was indifferent to her suffering.
c) It's unclear if he is a good man, as the play doesn't provide enough information about his character.
d) John Wright's character is irrelevant to the plot of "Trifles."

Answer 1

While John Wright is described as 'good' in certain respects, his mistreatment and emotional abuse of his wife suggest otherwise; therefore, he is not a 'good man'.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Wright in Trifles is depicted as a complex character. Mrs. Hale describes him as a 'good man' in some respects—he didn't drink and paid his debts. However, he was also seen as 'hard' and oppressive towards his wife, leading to her emotional suffering.

The text suggests that he prevented her from having company, destroyed her pleasures such as singing, and contributed to making their home a cheerless place. Based on this character portrayal, the claim that John Wright is a 'good man' is challenged, especially considering the grave impact of his behavior on his wife's life.

The complexity of John Wright's character cannot be discounted to a simple dichotomy of good or bad.

The intricate nuances of his actions and their effects, particularly on his wife, point towards an oppressive and emotionally abusive relationship.

Therefore, the most fitting answer to the question of whether John Wright is a 'good man' as claimed by Mrs. Peters in Trifles would be 'No, he is not a good man as he mistreated his wife and was indifferent to her suffering' (option b).