Sheriff Peters tells the County Attorney, "Nothing here but kitchen things." in Susan Glaspell's "Trifles." What does this line reveal that he does not intend?

In Glaspell's "Trifles," Hale says, "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles." Glaspell then prints: "(The two women move a little closer together.)" What does the stage direction, not the line, show?

In "Trifles," after the Sheriff repeats the women's quilting question, Glaspell prints "(The men laugh, the women look abashed.)" What does a stage direction like this govern?

In "Trifles," the County Attorney says, "Come up to the fire, ladies." Mrs Peters answers: "(after taking a step forward) I'm not—cold." What does the dash inside her spoken line do?

In "Trifles," Mrs Hale says, "I liked her all well enough. Farmers' wives have their hands full, Mr Henderson. And then—" The County Attorney answers, "Yes—?" What does her unfinished line accomplish?

In "Trifles," asked whether the Wrights got on well, Mrs Hale says, "No, I don't mean anything. But I don't think a place'd be any cheerfuller for John Wright's being in it." What does this line do beyond giving information?

In "Trifles," Glaspell prints: "Before she is seated realizes what chair it is; with a slow look at it, steps back. The chair which she has touched rocks back and forth.)" What does this stage direction do that no line does?

In "Trifles," Mrs Peters says of the dead bird, "Somebody—wrung—its—neck." What does the punctuation of this line tell the actor?

In "Trifles," Mrs Peters says, "If they hadn't held me back I would have—(catches herself, looks upstairs where steps are heard, falters weakly)—hurt him." What does the break in the line accomplish?

In "Trifles," Mrs Peters says her first baby died when they homesteaded in Dakota. Mrs Hale answers, "(moving) How soon do you suppose they'll be through, looking for the evidence?" What does this reply accomplish?

In "Trifles," Mrs Peters says, "The law has got to punish crime, Mrs Hale." Mrs Hale's next speech is marked "(not as if answering that)" What does that stage direction govern?

In "Trifles," Mrs Hale says, "I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around, (pause) No, Wright wouldn't like the bird—a thing that sang." What does the pause accomplish?

In "Trifles," the Sheriff says they ought to look at the windows and the County Attorney replies, "(scoffingly) Oh, windows!" What does the stage direction add to those two words?

In "Trifles," the County Attorney asks about the birdcage and Mrs Hale answers: "(putting more quilt pieces over the box) We think the—cat got it." How do her spoken line and her action differ here?

"Trifles" ends with Mrs Hale's line: "(her hand against her pocket) We call it—knot it, Mr Henderson." What does the stage direction tell the audience that Mr Henderson never learns?

In "Trifles," when the two women uncover the dead bird, Glaspell prints: "Their eyes meet. A look of growing comprehension, of horror." How does the audience learn that the women now understand?

In "Trifles," the County Attorney asks, "Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" Mrs Hale answers, "(stiffly) There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm." What does her reply do?

In "Trifles," a speech is marked "(to SHERIFF PETERS, continuing an interrupted conversation) No sign at all of anyone having come from the outside. Their own rope." What does this marking tell the audience?

In "Trifles," the County Attorney's speech ends: "(they start upstairs) It would have to have been someone who knew just the—" What does breaking off this line do?

In "Trifles," the Sheriff says, "Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves." What does this line show about the Sheriff without his meaning it to?