Question

read this passage, which develops the symbols of the bird and the birdcage.
mrs. hale: (with a slow look around her) i wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. (pause) no, wright wouldnt like the bird — a thing that sang. she used to sing. he killed that, too.
—trifles,
susan glaspell
remember that violence was inflicted on the birdcage and the bird. what inferences can you make about mrs. wright’s experience in her home? check all of the boxes that apply.
☐ she may have felt trapped and confined.
☐ she may have felt limited as a housewife.
☐ she may have been able to sing freely.
☐ she may have suffered physical or emotional violence.
☐ she may have been lonely.
☐ she may have loved to travel.
done

Explanation:

• "She may have felt trapped and confined": The birdcage symbolizes confinement, and the bird's death (along with Mrs. Wright's lost singing) implies she felt trapped.
• "She may have felt limited as a housewife": The domestic setting and Wright's control (disliking the singing bird) suggest her role as a housewife was limiting.
• "She may have been able to sing freely" is incorrect because "He killed that, too" (referring to her singing) shows she couldn't.
• "She may have suffered physical or emotional violence": The mention of violence on the birdcage and bird, plus Wright's control, implies she suffered violence.
• "She may have been lonely": The comment about no children and the isolated domestic life suggests loneliness.
• "She may have loved to travel" is incorrect as there's no text supporting travel.

Answer:

• She may have felt trapped and confined.
• She may have felt limited as a housewife.
• She may have suffered physical or emotional violence.
• She may have been lonely.