Trifles Group

Topic: if there were an updated version of trifles what details of plot, character, and setting would be different? what would be the same?

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wendypalma20

if there were an updated version of trifles what details of plot, character, and setting would be different? what would be the same?

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I think an updated version of the play would have some notable inclusions that might impact plot developments.  The first inclusion would be the addition of information technology.  Examine the scenes and ask how would cell phones change some of the communication between characters?  Would the women have discussed recent texts or posts on Myspace or even any recent Tweets they received? Maybe Minnie keeps a blog about her marriage.   I think another major plot development that might change is that conversations between women, which in the play was deemed as frivolous, might not be so easily and publicly deemed as such in the modern version.  At the time of writing the play, discussions of kitchens, sewing boxes, and cross stitching can be deemed as "women talk."  I am not sure if those same stringent distinctions as to what constitutes "women talk" is as strongly defined today.  Along those lines, I definitely feel that there is still latent or direct sexism that is present in the workplace, and this discussion would still be present in a modern retelling.  Perhaps, this discussion of discrimination would not only be in the levels of gender bias, but also, maybe, class/ socio- economic bias, as well.

3

Excellent topic! This is a fun one to think about.  First, the idea of an isolated or stifled woman would still work.  We continue to hear about current examples of women "sheltered" from society who eventually can't stand it and kill their oppressors (fathers, husbands, etc.).

I think that the chauvinistic/sexist dialogue would also still be present.  Today's men talk about women's petty interests, such as style, hobbies, and decorating, and many of today's women still bash men's resistance to paying attention to detail.

I don't think that Minnie would have been blogging because her husband would not have allowed her to have access to the Internet (in the play, she's not even allowed to have a party line installed), but perhaps the outcome of her marriage would be different.  Now, we have shelters for battered/abused women, and more help is available if a woman want to obtain a divorce or separate from a bad relationship.

I don't know that there would be as much sympathy from women for Minnie as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters had for her.  Women today appreciate independence and competition, and they might think that Minnie needs to stand trial rather than covering for her.  They might see her as being helpless.

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