This document provides discussion questions about the play "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell and poems by Gwendolyn Brooks. It asks the reader to analyze how the play's title relates to dramatic irony and how the setting contributes to understanding the main character. The reader must also identify two symbols in the play and explain how symbolism relates to themes. Alternatively, the reader can analyze how Brooks uses imagery to reveal themes in three of her poems. The response must be at least two paragraphs with evidence from the text and respond substantively to two classmates' posts addressing different topics while avoiding critiques of writing.

1. Early 20th Century OR Mid-20th Century.
Answer the following question about Trifles (Glaspell). Be sure to use specific examples
(quotes) from the book to support your ideas, and answer all parts of each question
thoroughly. Explain the significance of the play’s title – how does it relate to the dramatic
irony in the play? Include at least 2 quotes from the play to support your ideas. How does
the setting of the play contribute to our understanding of Minnie Wright’s life? Include at
least 2 quotes from the play to support your ideas. Identify and explain 2 symbols in the
play, and explain how symbolism relates to themes in the play. Include at least 2 quotes
from the play to support your ideas. OR Choose 3 poems by Gwendolyn Brooks, and analyze
how Brooks uses imagery to reveal themes in each poem. Include at least 2 quotes from
each poem to support your ideas. Requirements Your initial response should be at least 2
paragraphs (5-8 sentences each). Make sure you do a thorough job of supporting your ideas
with direct evidence (quotes/explanation) from the essay. You must respond to 2
classmates’ posts in a substantive way, and choose at least one post that addressed a
different topic from the one you chose.You should address the ideas within your classmates’
post and comment on those ideas. Avoid critiquing the writing, grammar, organization and
MLA style. Your response to each classmate should be at least 1 complete paragraph (5-8
sentences). Be sure to include an MLA style citation for your chosen essay at the end of your
discussion post and use in-text citations for ALL quotes and examples from the text. Since
these discussions are less formal than the writing assignments, you may use first person (I,
we, us, our) but second person (you, your, you’re) is NOT appropriate.