A Jury of Her Peers worksheet

“A Jury of Her Peers,” by Susan Glaspell

Please answer the questions on a separate piece of paper and with full sentences.

Explain and give details (use quotes) from the story for all answers

THINK LIKE A WRITER

A. Author's Craft

 1.    Choose 5 phrases that you think are particularly effective.

        a)    for each, explain why you think they are effective

        b)    for each, explain why you think the author chose these specific words and descriptions.  

 2.      Setting includes the mood, time, place, and social conditions of the story.  Describe the setting of  "A Jury of Her Peers", including all aspects of setting.  Include at least five important, specific quotes / details, explaining how they contribute to the atmosphere and plot of the story.

 B.  Characterization

               3.      Who is the protagonist in the story?  Explain.

               4.      What indirect characterization is there about Minnie Foster before she was married? (2 examples)

               5.      What indirect characterization is there about Minnie Wright after she was married? (2 examples)

C.    Point of View

              6.    Consider the point of view used in the story.  Why does the author of  "A Jury of Her Peers" write the story in the third person limited omniscient point of view?  Explain.

D.   Conflict

      7.      What is the inner conflict that Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale struggle with as they uncover clues and make connections?  Explain their struggle -- how and why do they "understand" Minnie and what she went through?

       8.    Who or what are Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters in conflict with?  Explain with examples.

E.  Plot

                9.    What  clues did the author include to suggest why Minnie did what she did?  

             10.    What is going to happen to Minnie Wright?  The story does not let the reader know if Mrs. Wright is found guilty or not, but what clues are given during the conclusion to help us take a good guess?

              11.    What do you think the climax of the story is?  Support your answer.

F.  Images / Symbols/ Details

Artistic unity means that the author hasn't included any details that are irrelevant.  All of them contribute to the total meaning of the story.  Describe the following symbols or details and explain why they are important to the story’s meaning or development:

Include quotes to support your answers.

12.  incomplete work

13.    party telephone

14.    Specific name choices:  "John Wright”, “Minnie Foster”

15.    Quilt

16.    Bird/Bird cage

17.    The stove

18.   The rocking chair

G.  Theme:  What is the author saying about life?

                19.    List three of the subjects talked about or dealt with in the story.

                20.    Justice is one of the subjects.  What does Glaspell say about justice?

                21.    Choose two other subjects and write what Glaspell has to say about those subjects.  (“Glaspell suggests that . . . “)