'Trifles' and 'a Jury of Her Peers'

by Susan Glaspell, Hannah Wilson (Editor)

Here in one convenient volume are the two versions of the same story that Susan Glaspell wrote. 'Trifles', her first play, was performed and published in 1916; the following year, Glaspell wrote 'A Jury of Her Peers as a short story version of the same story in order to reach a wider audience. Both texts are early feminist masterpieces, and with this edition readers can read both versions of this classic story which challenges male prejudice.

Genres: Plays, School, Classics, Mystery, Short Stories, Fiction, Feminism

50 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Susan Keating Glaspell (July 1, 1876 – July 27, 1948) was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, actress, director, novelist, biographer and poet. She was a founding member of the Provincetown Players, one of the most important collaboratives in the development of modern drama in the United States. She also served in the Works Progress Administration as Midwest Bureau Director of the Federal Theater Project.
Her novels and plays are committed to developing deep, sympathetic characters, to understanding 'life' in its complexity. Though realism was the medium of her fiction, she was also greatly interested in philosophy and religion. Many of her characters make principled stands.
As part of the Provincetown Players, she arranged for the first ever reading of a play by Eugene O'Neill.

Reviews

[Rosamund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but profound play. Interesting read the short story version too. Pioneering in its portrayal of the impact of domestic abuse.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two works are both beautifully written and provide a great opportunity for both legal-ethical discussoin and genre study!

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Trifles many years ago in college, but now I'm enjoying sharing both of these works with my students. I think Glaspell does an amazing job of embodying the differences between how men and women, especially during the time period presented, looked at the world and each other. To watch my students try and unravel the threads Glaspell has woven into the story is exciting because they are now having discussions about how men and women see things from different perspectives. This story, whether in short story or play form is timeless.

[Nancy Cisneros · Rating 2 out of 5]

this play was really good .Especially because it shows how they do the actions and also because is a better understanding that the story . is so scary how his wife kills the husban b/c of the bird this actually shows not to do anything that harms another person especially if that person really likes it

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

julie's pick, december 2002, theme: ADAPTATION

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

never send a man to do a woman's job. and she did the job alright. these kinds of relationships are still rampant and current. this must change.

[debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Read both for English Comp 2 and English Lit. I enjoy these stories. Shows how important "trifles" are in life.

[Carm9n · Rating 4 out of 5]

My impressions here...

http://carmenyamigos.blogspot.com.es/...

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trifles is the play format of the short story Jury of Her Peers. They are identical other than the format. Trifles is excellent and the only reason I can see that it isn't still played occasionally today, as it does hold up, is that it is too short for today's audiences. Perhaps as an hour long PBS special as it could include an introduction of Susan Glaspell, one of the women leaders in the early feminist movement. The short story is identical, so I can't criticize it, but I do think this plays so well as a one-act play that this is my preferred format.

[Amy Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder how often we underestimate those we think are so inferior to us when we are truly the inferior (even for thinking it)? This play and short story (same plot, two versions) is a great example of this from the early 1900s. Unfortunately, though, I suppose we still do this today.

[Paige Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just brilliant. I'd love to see it performed. The power of women working together for women can bring about change.

[leni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

men smh

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a surprising and emotional story in so few pages! Highly suggested short story for anyone looking for a one-sit mystery.