Posted by Kristi Vang (67.174.158.14) on June 20, 2005 at 9:59:46 p.m.:
In Reply to: Re: Unit 2 "A Jury..." and Trifles Question 1 posted by Sara Dastoum on June 20, 2005 at 9:17:10 p.m.:
>>Drama vs. Short Story:
>>In the opening scene of the story how is the setting established differently from the way it is in the play?
It's my opinion that the kitchen scene was much better described in the play than the short story, because the play illustrates the symbolism of an unkept kitchen by a woman who obviously took pride in her home. The description of the towel out of place, the unwashed pans under the sink and the unattended loaf of bread are much more powerful in the developement of the story. This scene, while it is important does not set the scene for the entire play, it only lets one begins to believe that something is very wrong. I take pride in my kitchen keeping everything in it's place. I think that most people probably do the same.
>In the opening scene of the story, the reader is focused on Mrs. Hale and her kitchen. This is established differently from the play, because the play begins in Mrs. Wright's kitchen. I much prefer the opening scene of the short story than the play because I automatically realize why Mrs. Hale is so sympathetic with Mrs. Wright's messy kitchen. The men criticize Mrs. Wright's kitchen for being messy and unkept. However, Mrs. Hale herself had left her kitchen just about the same way. This is turn also helps me realize that there was something obviously wrong with Mrs. Wright to begin with. If Mrs. Hale was rushed out of her kitchen and was kept from cleaning up, then what was so important that Mrs. Wright's kitchen was left the same way? The short story sets the scene for necessary details that will be important to us, as well as to the protagonist (Mrs. Hale) throughout the story.