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 Mrs. Wright's situation at home (with Wright's control) suggests she felt trapped.
• "She may have felt limited as a housewife": The context of being a housewife with Wright's restrictions (like not liking the bird that sang, and her singing being "killed") implies limitations.
• "She may have suffered physical or emotional violence": The mention of "violence was inflicted" and "He killed that, too" (referring to her singing and possibly other aspects) supports this.
• "She may have been lonely": The comment about never having children around and the isolated nature of her home life (implied by the birdcage/bird symbols) suggests loneliness.
• "She may have been able to sing freely" is incorrect because "He killed that, too" (referring to her singing) shows she was not free to sing. "She may have loved to travel" has no support from the passage.

Answer:

• $\boldsymbol{\square}$ She may have felt trapped and confined. (checked)
• $\boldsymbol{\square}$ She may have felt limited as a housewife. (checked)
• $\boldsymbol{\square}$ She may have been able to sing freely. (unchecked)
• $\boldsymbol{\square}$ She may have suffered physical or emotional violence. (checked)
• $\boldsymbol{\square}$ She may have been lonely. (checked)
• $\boldsymbol{\square}$ She may have loved to travel. (unchecked)