ENG 224 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Murder, Trifle
Document Summary
Certain distance between the stove and the door. All the men go to the stove to warm up. Women do not speak a word for about two pages: stove is always ahead of the door, which suggests a gender segregation. Why are they at the house: john wright has been murdered, primary suspect: his wife, goal: to find a motive for the death. Why are the women there: to bring minnie her belongings to jail. Jar has been busted from her preserves: well, women are used to worrying over trifles. (1930) Well, can you beat the women: critique of all women, not just mrs. wright. Trifle: a false or idle tale (or) a matter of little value or importance. Lack of order: setting itself implies disorder, breaking gender roles. Romantic disillusionment: gendered romance: married couples all seem unable to have conversation with one another, the idea that someone could kill their own spouse.
