Class 11 English Lesson 18: Trifles : References beyond the text

 

References beyond the text

a.      The credibility of a character is determined not only by the character’s thoughts and actions but also by what other characters say and think about him or her. Discuss the characters of Trifles.

In this play, we, all readers, are brought towards the off-stage main character, Mrs. Wright, through on-stage characters like Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. Here, these two on-stage characters keep on discussing and informing us about various aspects of Mrs. Wright’s life. Their discussion related to Mrs. Wright while investigating has provided us with various hidden aspects of Mrs. Wright’s life. Thanks to women’s knowledge, we may learn about Mrs. Wright’s life and suffering. Readers are engaged in knowing about their life narrative emotionally. Both ladies and Mrs. Wright’s descriptions seem unbelievable. Their contributions to the play made all readers happy with Mrs. Wright. The work of these two characters, Mrs. Wright, was favourably represented in the eyes of all readers. Everybody sympathizes with Mrs. Wright.

b.     Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience has information that is unknown to the characters in a play; it creates tension and suspense. Analyse the play discussing the author’s use of dramatic irony based on these questions:

i.       What information is crucial to the play Trifles?

Dramatic irony is a literary device that is created when the audience or reader comes to know things at first that are hidden. The key information in this play about dramatic irony is that Ms. Wright killed her husband. The readers know the reasons behind the murder via the discussion of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, but these facts are not known to the male characters, who seem to be concerned with discovering clues.

ii.     How does the playwright use this information to create dramatic irony?

To create dramatic irony, the playwright creates various twists and suspense. The playwright keeps on presenting information related to murder through predictions and proofs given by the characters during the time of investigation to find the actual murderer.

iii.  What effect does the dramatic irony have on the audience and the play?

Dramatic irony is very well managed and presented by the playwright. It has put the audience and readers above the leading male characters of the play. It has managed to capture all the readers’ attention, anticipation, hope, fear, curiosity, and suspense. Here, the readers have the actual information before all the male characters of the play. Dramatic irony has made this play very interesting and full of twists, where facts are disclosed, creating curiosity among the readers.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_UtXV5iP-c

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