trifles

戏剧《琐事》中的性别歧视语言探析作者：邱春英高红松来源：《文学教育·中旬版》2017年第12期内容摘要：苏珊·格拉斯佩尔的独幕剧《琐事》是一部极具女性主义色彩的作品。

剧本中随处可见的性别歧视语言体现了以主人公米妮·福斯特为代表的美国女性在政治上无权的社会现象。

分析该剧中人物的语言实例有助于读者了解语言使用中的性别歧视现象；解析米妮·福斯特悲惨命运有助于读者了解二十世纪初美国妇女倍受歧视的社会现实。

关键词：苏珊·格拉斯佩尔琐事性别歧视语言语言性别歧视苏姗·格拉斯佩尔的独幕剧《琐事》（Trifles，1916）通过家庭这个小小的窗口揭示了当时美国普遍存在的广大妇女备受歧视的社会不平等现象，引起了极大的社会反响①。

剧作家格拉斯佩尔以不带个人情感偏向的冷静笔触，选取生活中俯拾皆是的性别歧视语言，通过性格各异、身份不同的剧中人物之口，揭露了当时美国社会中女性遭受歧视的事实。

语言性别歧视现象常常表现为语言使用中对待女性的一种偏见和态度，而性别歧视语言则是女性政治上无权的体现。

在父权文化的影响下，性别歧视语言随处可见，其所反映的语言性别歧视现象屡见不鲜。

在言语中，性别歧视语言主要有四种表现形式：“偏袒一性别，损害另一性别；诋毁一性别，抬高另一性别；无视一性别存在，着重凸显另一性别；刻意掩盖，极力粉饰社会中普遍存在的性别歧视现象”（杨永林 204-205）。

本文从分析《琐事》的性别歧视语言入手，揭示在语言使用过程中所存在的歧视女性的现象。

一长久以来女性一直被看作是“屋子里的天使”。

其实，即使是在屋子里，女性的活动空间也更多地局限于厨房。

戏剧开始，亨德森先生一行人来到米妮家的厨房取暖并寻找证明米妮作案动机的线索。

大致扫视一圈后，男人们觉得这里不可能找到重要线索并决定离开。

当被问及是否有所发现时，彼得斯先生回答道：“没什么，都是些厨房杂物。

”（1048）②言语之中流露出厨房之事无足轻重。

研究生课程论文课程名称英语语言文学授课学期2014学年至2015 学年第 2 学期学院外国语学院专业学科教学（英语）学号**********姓名谢文静任课教师王美萍交稿日期2015年9月10日成绩阅读教师签名日期广西师范大学研究生学院制从女性主义角度论琐事的主题摘要女性主义问题是文学分析中的一个重要课题。

文中从女性主义的视角出发,结合当时美国妇女的社会地位,分析了Trifles中的女性形象。

文中对女性在社会逼迫下,在不同程度上、以不同的方式做出的反应进行了阐述,从而分析了在她们身上体现出来的女性意识。

关键词:女性主义,Susan Glaspell, Trifles,琐事AbstractFeminism plays an important role about literature analysis. From a critical Perspective, the paper analyzes the role of women combining with the status of women in America. Furthermore, the paper makes description of responses under the press of society on feminism, and makes deeper analysis of the feminism which is reflected in Trifles.Key words: Feminism, Susan Glaspell, trifles正文作为剧作家，格拉斯佩尔还是先锋戏剧团体“普林温斯顿剧社”(Provincetown Players)的创始人之一，培养了一批青年剧作家，对当时的美国戏剧发展有巨大的推动作用。

她的剧作极具个人风格，有自己的独到见解。

作为女性剧作家，格拉斯佩尔特别关注女性，经常在作品中刻画出坚强而独立的女性形象。

抽象名词归纳（一）一．表示“好”的品质、性格等方面的词语1. devotion / loyalty 忠实/忠诚；/faith /faithfulness /fidelity 忠实/诚实；allegiance忠贞，效忠;2. honesty/ sincerity /cordiality 诚挚，诚恳；hospitality 热情好客 friendliness 友好； amity友好;3. credit /trust/credibility 信任，信用；reliability 可靠性4. confidence/reliance 信心，依靠; diligence/industry/hard work努力, 勤奋；courage/bravery 勇气, 勇敢; cooperation/collaboration 合作, 协作；solidarity/unity 团结；5. sympathy/compassion/pity同情，怜悯；mercy 仁慈，可怜；benevolence 善意，仁慈；6. appeal /attraction/ temptation/ lure/enticement / 吸引力7. humanity 人类，人性，人道，仁慈；humanities 人文学科8. harmony 和谐; peace 和平; appreciation 欣赏9. ingenuity /creativity/ 创造力，灵活性10. dignity /self-respect/self-esteem / reverence 尊严，自尊，高贵11. courtesy/manners/politeness /humility 谦卑，礼貌12. innocence 无辜，清白; prestige 威望，名望；魅力，吸引力; reputation/fame/ 名声，名誉13. perseverance毅力; persistence 坚持; mercy /beneficence/ goodness / kindness 仁慈，善良14. integrity = honesty正直，诚实；15. conscience 良心，良知; morality 道德观; values价值观16. admiration / adoration 崇拜，敬爱；aspiration/desire/longing 希望，渴望; ambition 抱负，理想，野心17. thank/ gratitude/gratification 感谢，感恩，满意18. generosity 慷慨，大方; reward 回报，奖赏19. joy/happiness/pleasure/ rejoice/ elation/ cheerfulness 快乐，高兴，愉快20. craftiness/ cuteness/shrewdness/ smartness/ cunning21. prudence/ carefulness/ caution/ 谨慎，小心二．表示“不好”的品质、性格等方面的词语1. immorality 不道德; hypocrisy /dishonesty虚伪 hypocritical /dishonest虚伪的，伪善的2. deception /fraud/ trickery /cheat /lie /betrayal /humbug /swindle / hoax/ trick/ mislead/ coax/ deceit/ lie 欺骗；欺诈；哄骗3. fiction/illusion / legend/ tales /fantasy/myth/anecdote 虚构，假想4. slyness 狡猾，fox 狡猾的人 , abjection 悲惨，下流，卑鄙5. guilt 罪行，内疚; anxiety/worry/apprehension / 焦虑，着急; gloom/sadness/grief /melancholy /dismal 忧郁，郁闷，悲伤6. irresponsibility 不负责任; insecurity 不安全/ terrorism 恐怖7. cruelty / bloodiness/ brutality 残忍，残酷，8. discrimination/ bias/ prejudice/ injustice/ inequality/ unfairness歧视，偏见，不公平; grievance 冤枉，委屈，不平抽象名词归纳（二）9. agony/ misery/ sadness/ distress/ pain /suffering/ anguish/ grief / sorrow /woe / grief 痛苦，伤害, 悲哀10. abuse 滥用，虐待，辱骂，毁谤；misuse 误用11. timidity 胆怯，胆小; shyness/ coyness; coward ness 胆小鬼12. disorder /disturbance/ mess/ chaos混乱，骚乱，失调，疾病13. rage / anger/ fury/ annoyance /anguish/irritation 生气，怒火;indignation 义愤填膺，愤慨14. handicap/barrier/obstacle/ hindrance/ barricade/problem 障碍，阻碍，问题15. crisis/ crunch/ pinch危机，匮乏; deficit / shortage /lack /scarcity / deficiency / scanty 缺乏，不足; for want/lack of 因为缺乏16. contempt/ despise /scorn 轻视，蔑视17. superstition 迷信; disorder/ mess/trouble/chaos 无秩序，混乱18. plague/disaster/accident/catastrophe/mishap/calamity/tragedy祸害，灾难，事故; victim 受害者；casualty 伤亡，死亡；/mortality 死亡率；19. restriction/limitation/ confinement/restraint 限制，制约，抑制20. vice /sin / wick/ evil 罪恶，邪恶21. nightmare = bad dream ; self-doubt 自我怀疑;22. nonsense 废话，胡说; nuisance 讨厌的人或物23. conspiracy /plot 阴谋，密谋24. distortion 歪曲，扭曲；disrespect 失礼，无礼25. imprudence /carelessness/ 粗心，不谨慎26. abnormality 不正常，反常，变态; arrogance 傲慢，骄傲; blind pride 骄傲自大27. absurdity/ silliness/ ridicules/ mock/ mimic/taunt/jeer荒谬，可笑,嘲笑，辱骂28. envy/ jealousy/ 嫉妒，羡慕; arrogance 傲慢29. hardship / adversity 逆境，艰难，患难; plight 困境，艰难；dilemma 两难处境，艰难处境30. shame/ humiliation 丢脸，羞愧31. embarrassment / awkwardness 尴尬，难为情; harassment 骚扰，困扰32. indifference/coldness/insensitivity 冷漠，无情33. suffering/ pain/ ache /hurt/ injury 痛，痛苦，伤害34. despair 绝望; collapse 崩溃，倒塌35. hostility 敌对，敌意; revenge 报复，复仇36. plague 瘟疫，苦恼，灾祸；epidemic 流行病三．其它一些重要的名词1. pastime /recreation/ entertainment/amusement/diversion 消遣，娱乐2. discipline 纪律，惩罚；学科，院系3. abstract 摘要；抽象派作品4. acquaintance 熟人，了解，认识5. triviality /trifles/ 琐事6. enterprise /drive 进取心，奋斗7. bearing /behavior / 行为举止8. obligation / duty / responsibility /liability 责任，义务9. odor/smell/scent/ 气味，味道; perfume/ fragrance香味，10. offspring / descendant /posterity/ 子孙，后代，产物；ancestor/forefathers/ predecessors祖先，前辈，先辈11. option/choice/alternative/ selection 选择，挑选12. impetus / incentive/ motive /motivation/ momentum/ push/ spur/ driving force动力，推动力，鞭策13. ingredient /factor/ element/ part/ component/ facet/segment/ portion/ fraction/ section/ share 方面，因素，部分，成分14. discrepancy /difference/ distinction /differentiation / disparity / polarity 差异，不同15. resemblance / links / similarity/ connection/ parallel / bond/ tie/ association/analogy /correspondence/ combination /relation/ relationship 相似性；联系；相关性16. category /classification / class / group / kind /sort/ type 种类，分类17. garments/ clothes/ costume /attire 衣服，服装; dress裙子shirt 衬衫；skirt 裙子；underwear 内衣；shoe/footwear 鞋子18. penalty/punishment /fine 处罚，惩罚19. freight /commodity/ merchandise/ goods 商品，货物20. job/work/post/position/occupation/ profession/ career/ 职业，事业21. 固定成语：The heel of Achilles / Achilles’ heel 弱点，短处; the old Adam 本性，私欲22. genuine 真心的; authentic 可信的，真实的；历年考研翻译必背词组归纳1990 年1. be determined by 由…所决定2. have something to do with 与…有关3. be central to sth. 是…的核心4. in contrast/by contrast与此相反5. be due to 由于（常做表语）6. be deprived of 被剥夺7. respond to 对…作出反应8. as the basis of 依据/根据9. be born with 天生具有10. In contrast 相比之下1991年11. shut off 关上，停止，切断12. in any case=at any rate 不管怎样，无论如何; in no case 决不13. or so 大概，大约14. at the rate of 以…的速率15. take time 花费时间16. be likely to 可能；倾向于17. result in 导致18. not nearly 远不能；远非19. head into走向；陷入（危机）20. in the matter of 关于；就…而言21. make…possible 使…成为可能22. combine…with 把...和…结合起来；加上23. in the fashion of 以…方式24. such…as 像…一样1992年25. refer to…提到；谈到26. agreement on 一致意见27. be comparable to 和…相当；犹如28. in terms of 根据；按照；在…方面29. on the whole 总体来说；大体上看30. draw a conclusion 得出结论31. have the attitude towards 对…的态度32. only if 只要33. the same…as 与…一样34. by lack of=for lack of 因为缺乏1993年35. nothing but 只不过是36. by means of 通过；借助于37. by the help of 通过…的帮助38. in a sort of sense 从某种意义上来说39. manage to do sth. 设法做到40. extract …from 从。

"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell (1916) Scene: The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of John Wright, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having been put in order--unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the breadbox, a dish towel on the table--other signs of incompleted work. At the rear the outer door opens,and the Sheriff comes in, followed by the county Attorney and Hale. The Sheriff and Hale are men in middle life, the county Attorney is a young man; all are much bundled up and go at once to the stove. They are followed by the two women--the Sheriff's Wife first; she is a slight wiry woman, a thin nervous face. Mrs. Hale is larger and would ordinarily be called more comfortable looking, but she is disturbed now and looks fearfully about as she enters. The women have come in slowly and stand close together near the door.COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands). This feels good. Come up to the fire, ladies.MRS. PETERS (after taking a step forward). I'm not--cold.SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business). Now, Mr. Hale, before we move things about, you explain to Mr. Henderson just what you saw when you came here yesterday morning.COUNTY ATTORNEY. By the way, has anything been moved? Are things just as you left them yesterday?SHERIFF (looking about). It's just the same. When it dropped below zer0 last night, I thought I'd better send Frank out this morning to make a fire for us--no use getting pneumonia with a big case on; but I told him not to touch anything except the stove--and you know Frank.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Somebody should have been left here yesterday. SHERIFF. Oh--yesterday. When I had to send Frank to Morris Center for that man who went crazy--I want you to know I had my hands full yesterday. I knew you could get back from Omaha by today, and as long as I went over everything here myself-COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, Mr. Hale, tell just what happened when you came here yesterday morning.HALE. Harry and I had started to town with a load of potatoes. We came along the road from my place; and as I got here, I said, "I'm going to see if I can't get John Wright to go in with me on a party telephone." I spoke to Wright about it once before, and he put me off, saying folks talked too much anyway, and all he asked was peace and quiet--I guess you know about how much he talked himself; but I thought maybe if I went to thehouse and talked about it before his wife, though I said to Harry that I didn't know as what his wife wanted made much difference to John-- COUNTY ATTORNEY. Let's talk about that later, Mr. Hale. I do want to talk about that, but tell now just what happened when you got to the house.HALE. I didn't hear or see anything; I knocked at the door, and still it was all quiet inside. I knew they must be up, it was past eight o'clock. so I knocked again, and I thought I heard somebody say, "Come in." I wasn't sure, I'm not sure yet, but I opened the door--this door (indicating the door by which the two women are still standing), and there in that rocker-- (pointing to it) sat Mrs. Wright. (They all look at the rocker.) COUNTY ATTORNEY. What--was she doing?HALE. She was rockin' back and forth. She had her apron in her hand and was kind of--pleating it.COUNTY ATTORNEY. And how did she--look?HALE. Well, she looked queer.COUNTY ATTORNEY. How do you mean--queer?HALE. Well, as if she didn't know what she was going to do next. And kind of done up.COUNTY ATTORNEY. How did she seem to feel about your coming? HALE. Why, I don't think she minded--one way or other. She didn't pay much attention. I said, "How do, Mrs. Wright, it's cold, ain't it?" And she said, "Is it?"--and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, I was surprised; she didn't ask me to come up to the stove, or to set down, but just sat there, not even looking at me, so I said, "I want to see John." And then she--laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh. I thought of Harry and the team outside, so I said a little sharp:"Can't I see John?" "No," she says, kind o' dull like. "Ain't he home?" says I. "Yes," says she, "he's home." "Then why can't I see him?" I asked her, out of patience. "'Cause he's dead," says she. "Dead?" says I. She just nodded her head, not getting a bit excited, but rockin' back and forth. "Why--where is he?" says I, not knowing what to say. She just pointed upstairs--like that (himself pointing to the room above). I got up, with the idea of going up there. I talked from there to here--then I says, "Why, what did he die of?" "He died of a rope around his neck," says she, and just went on pleatin' at her apron. Well, I went out and called Harry. I thought I might--need help. We went upstairs, and there he was lying'--COUNTY ATTORNEY. I think I'd rather have you go into that upstairs, where you can point in all out. Just go on now with the rest of the story. HALE. Well, my first thought was to get that rope off. I looked...(Stops, his face twitches.)...but Harry, he went up to him, and he said, "No, he's dead all right, and we'd better not touch anything." So we went back downstairs. She was still sitting that same way. "Has anybody been notified?" I asked." "No," says she, unconcerned. "Who did this, Mrs. Wright?" said Harry. He said it business-like--and she stopped pleatin' of her apron. "I don't know," she says. "You don't know?" says Harry. "No," says she, "Weren't you sleepin' in the bed with him?" says Harry. "Yes," says she, "but I was on the inside." "Somebody slipped a rope round his neck and strangled him, and you didn't wake up?" says Harry. "I didn't wake up," she said after him. We must 'a looked as if we didn't see how that could be, for after a minute she said, "I sleep sound." Harry was going to ask her more questions, but I said maybe we ought to let her tell her story first to the coroner, or the sheriff, so Harry went fast as he could to Rivers' place, where there's a telephone.COUNTY ATTORNEY. And what did Mrs. Wright do when she knew that you had gone for the coroner.HALE. she moved from that chair to this over here... (Pointing to a small chair in the corner)...and just sat there with her hand held together andlooking down. I got a feeling that I ought to make some conversation, so I said I had come in to see if John wanted to put in a telephone, and at that she started to laugh, and then she stopped and looked atme--scared.(The County Attorney, who has had his notebook out, makes a note.) I dunno, maybe it wasn't scared. I wouldn't like to say it was. Soon Harry got back, and then Dr. Lloyd came, and you, Mr. Peters, and so I guess that's all I know that you don't.COUNTY ATTORNEY. (looking around). I guess we'll go upstairsfirst--and then out to the barn and around there. (To the Sheriff). You're convinced that there was nothing important here--nothing that would point to any motive?SHERIFF. Nothing here but kitchen things.(The County Attorney, after again looking around the kitchen, opens the door of a cupboard closet. He gets up on a chair and looks on a shelf. Pulls his hand away, sticky.)COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here's a nice mess.(The women draw nearer.)MRS. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, her fruit; it did freeze. (To the Lawyer). She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire'd go out and her jars would break.SHERIFF. Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves.COUNTY ATTORNEY. I guess before we're through she may have something more serious than preserves to worry about.HALE. Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.(The two women move a little closer together.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend. He goes to the sink, takes dipperful of water form the pail and, pouring it into a basin, washes his hands. Starts to wipe them on the roller towel, turns it for a cleaner place.) Dirty towels! (Kicks his foot against the pans under the sink.) Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?MRS. HALE (stiffly). There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm.COUNTY ATTORNEY. To be sure. And yet... (With a little bow to her.) (I)know there are some Dickson county farmhouses which do not have such roller towels. (He gives it a pull to expose its full length again.)MRS. HALE. Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men's hands aren't always as clean as they might be.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Ah, loyal to your sex, I see. But you and Mrs. Wright were neighbors. I suppose you were friends, too.MRS. HALE (shaking her head.) I've not seen much of her of late years. I've not been in this house--it's more than a year.COUNTY ATTORNEY. And why was that? You didn't like her?MRS. HALE. I liked her all well enough. Farmers' wives have their hands full, Mr. Henderson. And then--COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes--?MRS. HALE (looking about.) It never seemed a very cheerful place.COUNTY ATTORNEY. No--it's not cheerful. I shouldn't say she had the homemaking instinct.MRS. HALE. Well, I don't know as Wright had, either.COUNTY ATTORNEY. You mean that they didn't get on very well?MRS. HALE. No, I don't mean anything. But I don't think a place'd be any cheerfuller for John Wright's being in it.COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'd like to talk more of that a little later. I want to get the lay of things upstairs now. (H e goes to the left, where three steps lead to a stair door.)SHERIFF. I suppose anything Mrs. Peters does'll be all right. She was to take in some clothes for her, you know, and a few little things. We left in such a hurry yesterday.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes, but I would like to see what you take, Mrs. Peters, and keep an eye out for anything that might be of use to us.MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson.(The women listen to the men's steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.)MRS. HALE. I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. (She arranges the pans under sink which the Lawyer had shoved out of place.)MRS. PETERS. Of course it's no more than their duty.MRS. HALE. Duty's all right, but I guess that deputy sheriff that came out to make the fire might have got a little of this on. (Gives the roller towel apul l.) Wish I'd thought of that sooner. Seems mean to talk about her for not having things slicked up when she had to come away in such a hurry.MRS. PETERS. (who has gone to a small table in the left rear corner of the room, and lifted on end of a towel that covers a pan). She had bread set. (S tands still.)MRS. HALE (eyes fixed on a loaf of bread beside the breadbox, which is on a low shelf at the other side of the room. Moves slowly toward it.)she was going to put this in there. (Picks up loaf, then abruptly drops it. In a manner of returning to familiar things.) It's a shame about her fruit. I wonder if it's all gone. (Gets up on the chair and looks.) I think there's some here that's all right, Mrs. Peters. Yes--here; (Holding it toward the window.) This is cherries, too. (Looking again.) I declare I believe that's the only one. (Gets down, bottle in her hand. Goes to the sink and wipes it off on the outside.) She'll feel awful bad after all her hard work in the hot weather. I remember the afternoon I put up my cherries last summer. (She puts the bottle on the big kitchen table, center of the room, front table. With a sigh, is about to sit down in the rocking chair. Before she is seated realizes what chair it is; with a slow look at it, steps back. The chair, which she has touched, rocks back and forth.)MRS. PETERS. Well, I must get those things from the front room closet. [She goes to the door at the right, but after looking into the other room,steps back.] You coming with me, Mrs. Hale? You could help me carry them. (T hey go into the other room; reappear, Mrs. Peters carrying a dress and skirt, Mrs. Hale following with a pair of shoes.)MRS. PETERS. My, it's cold in there. (She puts the cloth on the big table, and hurries to the stove.)MRS HALE (examining the ski rt). Wright was close. I think maybe that's why she kept so much to herself. She didn't even belong to the Ladies' Aid. I suppose she felt she couldn't do her part, and then you don't enjoy things when you feel shabby. She used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was MInnie Foster, one of the town girls singing in the choir. But that--oh, that was thirty years ago. This all you was to take? MRS. PETERS. She said she wanted an apron. Funny thing to want, for there isn't much to get you dirty in jail, goodness knows. But I suppose just to make her feel more natural. She said they was in the top drawer in this cupboard. Yes, here. And then her little shawl that always hung behind the door. (O pens stair door and looks.) Yes, here it is. (Quickly shuts door leading upstairs..)MRS. HALE (a bruptly moving toward her.) Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Do you think she did it?MRS. PETERS (in a frightened voice.) Oh, I don't know.MRS. HALE. Well, I don't think she did. Asking for an apron and her little shawl. Worrying about her fruit.MRS. PETERS (s tarts to speak, glances up, where footsteps are heard in the room above. In a low voice.) Mrs. Peters says it looks bad for her. Mr. Henderson is awful sarcastic in speech, and he'll make fun of her sayin' she didn't wake up.MRS. HALE. Well, I guess John Wright didn't wake when they was slipping that rope under his neck.MRS. PETERS. No, it's strange. It must have been done awful crafty and still. They say it was such a --funny way to kill a man, rigging it all up like that.MRS. HALE. That's just what Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in the house. He says that's what he can't understand.MRS. PETERS. Mr. Henderson said coming out that what was needed for the case was a motive; something to show anger or--sudden feeling. MRS. HALE (who is standing by the table). Well, I don't see any signs of anger around here. (s he puts her hand on the dish towel which lies on the table, stands looking down at the table, one half of which is clean, theother half messy.) It's wiped here. (M akes a move as if to finish work, then turns and looks at loaf of bread outside the breadbox. Drops towel. In that voice of coming back to familiar things. ) Wonder how they are finding things upstairs? I hope she had it a little more there. You know, it seems kind of sneaking. Locking her up in town and then coming out here and trying to get her own house to turn against her!MRS. PETERS. But, Mrs. Hale, the law is the law.MRS. HALE. I s'pose 'tis. (Unbuttoning her coa t.) Better loosen up your things, Mrs. Peters. You won't feel them when you go out. (Mrs. Peters takes off her fur tippet, goes to hang it on hook at the back of room, stands looking at the under part of the small corner table.)MRS. PETERS. She was piecing a quilt. (She brings the large sewing basket, and they look at the bright pieces.)MRS. HALE. It's log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn't it? I wonder if she was goin' to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.) SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands over the stove). Frank's fire didn't do much up there, did it? Well, let's go out to the barn and get that cleared up. (The men go outside.)MRS. HALE (resentfully). I don't know as there's anything so strange, our takin' up our time with little things while we're waiting for them to get the evidence. (She sits down at the big table, smoothing out a block with decision.) I don't see as it's anything to laugh about.MRS. PETERS. (apologetically). Of course they've got awful important things on their minds. (Pulls up a chair and joins Mrs. Hale at the table.) MRS. HALE (examining another block.) Mrs. Peters, look at this one. Here, this is the one she was working on, and look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It's all over the place! Why, it looks as if she didn't know what she was about! (After she has said this, they look at each other, then start to glance back at the door. After an instant Mrs. Hale has pulled at a knot and ripped the sewing.)MRS. PETERS. Oh, what are you doing, Mrs. Hale?MRS. HALE (mildly). Just pulling out a stitch or two that's not sewed very good. (Threading a needle). Bad sewing always made me fidgety. MRS. PETERS. (nervously). I don't think we ought to touch things.MRS. HALE. I'll just finish up this end. (Suddenly stopping and leaning forward.) Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mrs. Hale?MRS. HALE. What do you suppose she was so nervous about?MRS. PETERS. Oh--I don't know. I don't know as she was nervous. I sometimes sew awful queer when I'm just tired. (Mrs. Hale starts to say something looks at Mrs. Peters, then goes on sewing.) Well, I must get these things wrapped up. They may be through sooner than we think. (Putting apron and other things together.) I wonder where I can find a piece of paper, and string.MRS. HALE. In that cupboard, maybe.MRS. PETER. (looking in cupboard). Why, here's a birdcage. (Holds it up.) Did she have a bird, Mrs. Hale?MRS. HALE. Why, I don't know whether she did or not--I've not been here for so long. There was a man around last year selling canaries cheap, but I don't know as she took one; maybe she did. She used to sing real pretty herself.MRS. PETERS. (glancing around). Seems funny to think of a bird here. But she must have had one, or why should she have a cage? I wonder what happened to it?MRS. HALE. I s'pose maybe the cat got it.MRS. PETERS. No, she didn't have a cat. She's got that feeling some people have about cats--being afraid of them. My cat got in her room, and she was real upset and asked me to take it out.MRS. HALE. My sister Bessie was like that. Queer, ain't it?MRS. PETERS. (examining the cage). Why, look at this door. It's broke. One hinge is pulled apart.MRS. HALE. (looking, too.) Looks as if someone must have been rough with it.MRS. PETERS. Why, yes. (she brings the cage forward and puts it on the table.)MRS. HALE. I wish if they're going to find any evidence they'd be about it.I don't like this place.MRS. PETERS. But I'm awful glad you came with me, Mrs. Hale. It would be lonesome of me sitting here alone.MRS. HALE. It would, wouldn't it? (Dropping her sewing). But I tell you what I do wish, Mrs. Peters. I wish I had come over sometimes she was here. I-- (Looking around the room.)--wish I had.MRS. PETERS. But of course you were awful busy, Mrs. Hale---your house and your children.MRS. HALE. I could've come. I stayed away because it weren'tcheerful--and that's why I ought to have come. I--I've never liked this place. Maybe because it's down in a hollow, and you don't see the road. I dunno what it is, but it's a lonesome place and always was. I wish I had come over to see Minnie Foster sometimes. I can see now--(Shakes her head.)MRS. PETERS. Well, you mustn't reproach yourself, Mrs. Hale. Somehow we just don't see how it is with other folks until--something comes up. MRS. HALE. Not having children makes less work--but it makes a quiet house, and Wright out to work all day, and no company when he did come in. Did you know John Wright, Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Not to know him; I've seen him in town. They say he was a good man.MRS. HALE. Yes--good; he didn't drink, and kept his word as well as most, I guess, and paid his debts. But he was a hard man, Mrs. Peters. Just to pass the time of day with him. (Shivers.) Like a raw wind that gets to the bone. (Pauses, her eye falling on the cage.) I should think she would 'a wanted a bird. But what do you suppose went with it?MRS. PETERS. I don't know, unless it got sick and died. (S he reaches over and swings the broken door, swings it again; both women watch it.)MRS.> HALE. She--come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself--real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and--fluttery.How--she--did--change. (Silence; then as if struck by a happy thought and relieved to get back to everyday things.) Tell you what, Mrs. Peters, why don't you take the quilt in with you? It might take up her mind.MRS. PETERS. Why, I think that's a real nice idea, Mrs. Hale. There couldn't possible be any objection to it, could there? Now, just what would I take? I wonder if her patches are in here--and her things. (They look in the sewing basket.)MRS. HALE. Here's some red. I expect this has got sewing things in it (Brings out a fancy box.) What a pretty box. Looks like something somebody would give you. Maybe her scissors are in here. (Opens box. Suddenly puts her hand to her nose.) Why-- (M rs. Peters bend nearer,then turns her face away.) There's something wrapped up in this piece of silk.MRS. PETERS. Why, this isn't her scissors.MRS. HALE (lifting the silk.) Oh, Mrs. Peters--it's-- (Mrs. Peters bend closer.)MRS. PETERS. It's the bird.MRS. HALE (jumping up.) But, Mrs. Peters--look at it. Its neck! Look at its neck! It's all--other side to.MRS. PETERS. Somebody--wrung--its neck.(Their eyes meet. A look of growing comprehension of horror. Steps are heard outside. Mrs. Hale slips box under quilt pieces, and sinks into her chair. Enter Sheriff and County Attorney. Mrs. Peters rises.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (as one turning from serious thing to little pleasantries). Well, ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it?MRS. PETERS. We think she was going to--knot it.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, that's interesting, I'm sure. (Seeing the birdcage.) Has the bird flown?MRS. HALE (putting more quilt pieces over the bo x.) We think the--cat got it.COUNTY ATTORNEY (preoccupied). Is there a cat?(Mrs. Hale glances in a quick covert way at Mrs. Peters.) MRS. PETERS. Well, not now. They're superstitious, you know. They leave.COUNTY ATTORNEY (to Sheriff Peters, continuing an interrupted conversation.) No sign at all of anyone having come from the outside. Their own rope. Now let's go up again and go over it piece by piece. (T hey start upstai rs.) It would have to have been someone who knew just the--(Mrs. Peters sits down. The two women sit there not looking at one another, but as if peering into something and at the same time holding back. When they talk now, it is the manner of feeling their way over strange ground, as if afraid of what they are saying, but as if they cannot help saying it.) MRS. HALE. She liked the bird. She was going to bury it in that pretty box.MRS. PETERS. (in a whisper). When I was a girl--my kitten--there was a boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes--and before I could getthere--(Covers her face an instant.) If they hadn't held me back, I wouldhave-- (Catches herself, looks upstairs, where steps are heard, falters weakly.)--hurt him.MRS. HALE (with a slow look around her.) I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. (Pause.) No, Wright wouldn't like the bird--a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too.MRS. PETERS (moving uneasily). We don't know who killed the bird.MRS. HALE. I knew John Wright.MRS. PETERS. It was an awful thing was done in this house that night, Mrs. Hale. Killing a man while he slept, slipping a rope around his neck that choked the life out of him.MRS. HALE. His neck, Choked the life out of him.(Her hand goes out and rests on the birdcage.) MRS. PETERS (with a rising voice). We don't know who killed him. We don't know.MRS. HALE (her own feeling not interrupted.) If there'd been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful--still, after the bird was still.MRS. PETERS (something within her speaking). I know what stillness is. When we homesteaded in Dakota, and my first baby died--after he was two years old, and me with no other then--MRS. HALE (moving). How soon do you suppose they'll be through, looking for evidence?MRS. PETERS. I know what stillness is. (Pulling herself back). The law has got to punish crime, Mrs. Hale. MRS. HALE (not as if answering that). I wish you'd seen MInnie Foster when she wore a white dress with blue ribbons and stood up there in the choir and sang. (A look around the room). Oh, I wish I'd come over here once in a while! That was a crime! That was a crime! Who's going to punish that?MRS. Peters (looking upstairs). We mustn't--take on.MRS. HALE. I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be--for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things--it's all just a different kind of the same thing. (Brushes her eyes, noticing the bottle of fruit, reaches out for it.) If I was you, I wouldn't tell her her fruit was gone. Tell her it ain't. Tell her it's all right. Take this in to prove it to her.She--she may never know whether it was broke or not.MRS. PETERS (t akes the bottle, looks about for something to wrap it in; takes petticoat from the clothes brought from the other room, very nervously begins winding this around the bottle. In a false voice). My, it's a good thing the men couldn't hear us. Wouldn't they just laugh! Gettingall stirred up over a little thing like a--dead canary. As if that could have anything to do with--with--wouldn't they laugh!(The men are heard coming downstairs.) MRS. HALE (under her breath). Maybe they would--maybe they wouldn't.COUNTY ATTORNEY. No, Peters, it's all perfectly clear except a reason for doing it. But you know juries when it comes to women. If there was some definite thing. Something to show--something to make a story about--a thing that would connect up with this strange way of doing it.(The women's eyes meet for an instant. Enter Hale from outer door.)HALE. Well, I've got the team around. Pretty cold out there.COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'm going to stay here awhile by myself (To the Sheriff). You can send Frank out for me, can't you? I want to go over everything. I'm not satisfied that we can't do better.SHERIFF. Do you want to see what Mrs. Peters is going to take in? (The Lawyer goes to the table, picks up the apron, laughs.) COUNTY ATTORNEY. Oh I guess they're not very dangerous things the ladies have picked up. (M oves a few things about, disturbing the quilt pieces which cover the box. Steps back.) No, Mrs. Peters doesn't need supervising. For that matter, a sheriff's wife is married to the law. Ever think of it that way, Mrs. Peters?。

Trifles是Susan Glaspell的一部戏剧，是一部基于真实案例、极具女性主义色彩的作品。

这部戏剧讲述了这样一个故事：在一个小村镇里发生了一起谋杀案，犯罪嫌疑人是受害者的妻子。

男人们无法找到关键证据，最后，两名村中的妇女——黑尔太太和治安官夫人彼得斯太太在厨房的琐事中发现了案件背后的重要线索。

她们推断出受害者的妻子一直以来都受到丈夫的欺霸，唯一的生活乐趣——金丝雀也被丈夫残忍地夺去了。

丈夫的这一举动彻底点燃了妻子心中压制已久的怒火，她用针织的手法将绳子打了个结，把丈夫勒死在睡梦中。

出于对妻子的同情，黑尔太太和彼得斯太太选择将这些线索隐瞒起来，希望可以帮助妻子逃脱法律的制裁。

trifles读后感《Trifles》读后感《Trifles》是美国著名剧作家苏珊·格拉斯贝尔创作的一部戏剧作品，该剧以其深刻的女性主义思想和对社会现实的揭露而著称。

本剧以一桩谋杀案为背景，通过对案件现场的细微线索和女性视角的审视，展现了社会对女性的歧视和忽视，以及女性在家庭和社会中所承受的压力和痛苦。

在阅读《Trifles》后，我深深被其所表达的女性主义思想所触动，同时也对社会现实产生了深刻的反思。

首先，本剧通过对案件现场的细微线索的揭示，展现了女性的敏锐洞察力和对细节的关注。

在剧中，男性调查人员对案件现场的一切都视为无关紧要的琐事，而女性则通过对这些“琐事”的观察和推理，最终揭露了真相。

这种对细微线索的关注和敏锐的洞察力，反映了女性在社会中所扮演的角色，她们往往需要通过自己的努力和智慧来发现真相和解决问题，而这些努力往往被社会所忽视。

其次，本剧通过对女性在家庭和社会中的地位和角色的揭示，展现了女性所承受的压力和痛苦。

在剧中，女性角色们被束缚在家庭中，承担着繁重的家务和照顾家人的责任，同时还要忍受丈夫的暴力和压迫。

她们的生活充满了痛苦和无助，而社会对她们的忽视和歧视更让她们倍感煎熬。

这种对女性生活的真实描绘，让人深刻地意识到了女性在社会中所面临的困境和不公平待遇，引发了对性别平等和女性权益的深刻思考。

最后，本剧通过对社会现实的揭露，呼吁人们对女性的关注和尊重。

在剧中，女性角色们通过自己的努力和智慧，最终揭露了真相，证明了自己的价值和能力。

这种对女性的赞扬和肯定，提醒着人们不要忽视女性的力量和智慧，要给予她们更多的关注和尊重。

同时，剧中也呼吁人们关注和反思社会对女性的歧视和忽视，倡导性别平等和女性权益，让女性能够在家庭和社会中获得应有的尊重和地位。

总的来说，《Trifles》是一部充满女性主义思想的戏剧作品，通过对案件现场的细微线索和女性视角的审视，揭露了社会对女性的歧视和忽视，展现了女性在家庭和社会中所承受的压力和痛苦，呼吁人们对女性的关注和尊重。

trifle 单词记忆Hello，亲爱的朋友们！今天我要和大家分享的单词是“trifle”。

是不是觉得它听起来很奇特呢？别急，让我们一起探索这个单词的含义和记忆方法。

首先，我们来了解一下“trifle”的基本含义。

“Trifle”是一个名词，指一种用果酱、蛋糕等制成的甜点，有时也用来形容琐碎的事物或废话。

这个词源自法语，意为“微不足道的东西”。

所以，“trifle”一词的字面意思与它的实际意义有一定关联。

然而，记住一个单词不仅仅是为了知道它的基本含义和使用场景，还要能够快速准确地拼写出来并运用到实际语境中。

那么，如何将“trifle”深深印在脑海中呢？接下来就让我来为大家展示一些有趣的记忆法吧！想象法：我们可以运用想象力将“trifle”与其他有趣的事物串联起来。

比如，想象一下自己在参加一场宴会时，突然发现了一盘满是小块蛋糕和果酱的盘子。

这时你可以对身边的朋友说：“看这些小蛋糕和果酱像不像我们今天的主题‘trifle’？”这样一来，每次想到“trifle”，你的脑海里是否浮现出那甜蜜诱人的画面了呢？故事法：此外，你也可以尝试结合一些有趣的故事来帮助自己记住“trifle”。

例如，可以讲述这样一个故事：主人公有一天去买蛋糕，路过一家店铺时看到橱窗里摆放着各式各样的蛋糕，其中就有一种特别的水果蛋糕上面涂满了果酱。

他尝了一口后赞不绝口地说：“这真是一道美味又简单的甜品，就像生活中的‘trifle’，虽然简单但却充满了甜蜜的味道。

”通过这样的故事情节，相信你一定能在短时间内牢牢记住“trifle”了。

词根联想记忆法：实际上，“trifle”是由前缀“tri-”加上名词词干构成的。

而“tri-”具有三个的意思，由此我们可以联想到重复、多余或者琐碎的事情。

当我们意识到某个事物是多余或琐碎的时候，我们就可以把它当作“trifle”来看待。

在生活中，很多看似无足轻重的小事或许正是他人眼中的“trifles”，只要善于发掘并合理利用这些“trifles”，相信你将变得更加智慧。

"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell (1916)Scene: The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of John Wright, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having been put in order--unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the breadbox, a dish towel on thetable--other signs of incompleted work. At the rear the outer door opens,and the Sheriff comes in, followed by the county Attorney and Hale. The Sheriff and Hale are men in middle life, the county Attorney is a young man; all are much bundled up and go at once to the stove. They are followed by the twowomen--the Sheriff's Wife first; she is a slight wiry woman, a thin nervous face. Mrs. Hale is larger and would ordinarily be called more comfortable looking, but she is disturbed now and looks fearfully about as she enters. The women have come in slowly and stand close together near the door.COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands). This feels good. Come up to the fire, ladies.MRS. PETERS (after taking a step forward). I'm not--cold.SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business). Now, Mr. Hale, before we move things about, you explain to Mr. Henderson just what you saw when you came here yesterday morning.COUNTY ATTORNEY. By the way, has anything been moved? Are things just as you left them yesterday?SHERIFF (looking about). It's just the same. When it dropped below zer0 last night, I thought I'd better send Frank out this morning to make a fire for us--no use getting pneumonia with a big case on; but I told him not to touch anything except the stove--and you know Frank.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Somebody should have been left here yesterday.SHERIFF. Oh--yesterday. When I had to send Frank to Morris Center for that man who went crazy--I want you to know I had my hands full yesterday. I knew you could get back from Omaha by today, and as long as I went over everything here myself-COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, Mr. Hale, tell just what happened when you came here yesterday morning.HALE. Harry and I had started to town with a load of potatoes. We came along the road from my place; and as I got here, I said, "I'm going to see if I can't getJohn Wright to go in with me on a party telephone." I spoke to Wright about it once before, and he put me off, saying folks talked too much anyway, and all he asked was peace and quiet--I guess you know about how much he talked himself; but I thought maybe if I went to the house and talked about it before his wife, though I said to Harry that I didn't know as what his wife wanted made much difference to John--COUNTY ATTORNEY. Let's talk about that later, Mr. Hale. I do want to talk about that, but tell now just what happened when you got to the house.HALE. I didn't hear or see anything; I knocked at the door, and still it was all quiet inside. I knew they must be up, it was past eight o'clock. so I knocked again, and I thought I heard somebody say, "Come in." I wasn't sure, I'm not sure yet, but I opened the door--this door (indicating the door by which the two women are still standing), and there in that rocker-- (pointing to it) sat Mrs. Wright. (They all look at the rocker.)COUNTY ATTORNEY. What--was she doing?HALE. She was rockin' back and forth. She had her apron in her hand and was kind of--pleating it.COUNTY ATTORNEY. And how did she--look?HALE. Well, she looked queer.COUNTY ATTORNEY. How do you mean--queer?HALE. Well, as if she didn't know what she was going to do next. And kind of done up.COUNTY ATTORNEY. How did she seem to feel about your coming?HALE. Why, I don't think she minded--one way or other. She didn't pay much attention. I said, "How do, Mrs. Wright, it's cold, ain't it?" And she said, "Is it?"--and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, I was surprised; she didn't ask me to come up to the stove, or to set down, but just sat there, not even looking at me, so I said, "I want to see John." And then she--laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh. I thought of Harry and the team outside, so I said a little sharp:"Can't I see John?" "No," she says, kind o' dull like. "Ain't he home?" says I. "Yes," says she, "he's home." "Then why can't I see him?" I asked her, out of patience. "'Cause he's dead," says she. "Dead?" says I. She just nodded her head, not getting a bit excited, but rockin' back and forth. "Why--where is he?" says I, not knowing what to say. She just pointed upstairs--like that (himself pointing to the room above). I got up, with the ideaof going up there. I talked from there to here--then I says, "Why, what did he die of?" "He died of a rope around his neck," says she, and just went on pleatin' at her apron. Well, I went out and called Harry. I thought I might--need help. We went upstairs, and there he was lying'--COUNTY ATTORNEY. I think I'd rather have you go into that upstairs, where you can point in all out. Just go on now with the rest of the story.HALE. Well, my first thought was to get that rope off. I looked...(Stops, his face twitches.)...but Harry, he went up to him, and he said, "No, he's dead all right, and we'd better not touch anything." So we went back downstairs. She was still sitting that same way. "Has anybody been notified?" I asked." "No," says she, unconcerned. "Who did this, Mrs. Wright?" said Harry. He said itbusiness-like--and she stopped pleatin' of her apron. "I don't know," she says. "You don't know?" says Harry. "No," says she, "Weren't you sleepin' in the bed with him?" says Harry. "Yes," says she, "but I was on the inside." "Somebody slipped a rope round his neck and strangled him, and you didn't wake up?" says Harry. "I didn't wake up," she said after him. We must 'a looked as if we didn't see how that could be, for after a minute she said, "I sleep sound." Harry was going to ask her more questions, but I said maybe we ought to let her tell her story first to the coroner, or the sheriff, so Harry went fast as he could to Rivers' place, where there's a telephone.COUNTY ATTORNEY. And what did Mrs. Wright do when she knew that you had gone for the coroner.HALE. she moved from that chair to this over here... (Pointing to a small chair in the corner)...and just sat there with her hand held together and looking down.I got a feeling that I ought to make some conversation, so I said I had come in to see if John wanted to put in a telephone, and at that she started to laugh, and then she stopped and looked at me--scared.(The County Attorney, who has had his notebook out, makes a note.) I dunno, maybe it wasn't scared. I wouldn't like to say it was. Soon Harry got back, and then Dr. Lloyd came, and you, Mr. Peters, and so I guess that's all I know that you don't.COUNTY ATTORNEY. (looking around). I guess we'll go upstairs first--and then out to the barn and around there. (To the Sheriff). You're convinced that there was nothing important here--nothing that would point to any motive? SHERIFF. Nothing here but kitchen things.(The County Attorney, after again looking around the kitchen, opens the door of a cupboard closet. He gets up on a chair and looks on a shelf. Pulls his hand away, sticky.)COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here's a nice mess.(The women draw nearer.)MRS. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, her fruit; it did freeze. (To the Lawyer). She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire'd go out and her jars would break.SHERIFF. Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves.COUNTY ATTORNEY. I guess before we're through she may have something more serious than preserves to worry about.HALE. Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.(The two women move a little closer together.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend. He goes to the sink, takes dipperful of water form the pail and, pouring it into a basin, washes his hands. Starts to wipe them on the roller towel, turns it for a cleaner place.) Dirty towels! (Kicks his foot against the pans under the sink.) Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?MRS. HALE (stiffly). There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm. COUNTY ATTORNEY. To be sure. And yet... (With a little bow to her.) (I)know there are some Dickson county farmhouses which do not have such roller towels. (He gives it a pull to expose its full length again.)MRS. HALE. Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men's hands aren't always as clean as they might be.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Ah, loyal to your sex, I see. But you and Mrs. Wright were neighbors. I suppose you were friends, too.MRS. HALE (shaking her head.) I've not seen much of her of late years. I've not been in this house--it's more than a year.COUNTY ATTORNEY. And why was that? You didn't like her?MRS. HALE. I liked her all well enough. Farmers' wives have their hands full, Mr. Henderson. And then--COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes--?MRS. HALE (looking about.) It never seemed a very cheerful place.COUNTY ATTORNEY. No--it's not cheerful. I shouldn't say she had the homemaking instinct.MRS. HALE. Well, I don't know as Wright had, either.COUNTY ATTORNEY. You mean that they didn't get on very well?MRS. HALE. No, I don't mean anything. But I don't think a place'd be any cheerfuller for John Wright's being in it.COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'd like to talk more of that a little later. I want to get the lay of things upstairs now. (H e goes to the left, where three steps lead to a stair door.)SHERIFF. I suppose anything Mrs. Peters does'll be all right. She was to take in some clothes for her, you know, and a few little things. We left in such a hurry yesterday.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes, but I would like to see what you take, Mrs. Peters, and keep an eye out for anything that might be of use to us.MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson.(The women listen to the men's steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.)MRS. HALE. I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. (She arranges the pans under sink which the Lawyer had shoved out of place.)MRS. PETERS. Of course it's no more than their duty.MRS. HALE. Duty's all right, but I guess that deputy sheriff that came out to make the fire might have got a little of this on. (Gives the roller towel a pul l.) Wish I'd thought of that sooner. Seems mean to talk about her for not having things slicked up when she had to come away in such a hurry.MRS. PETERS. (who has gone to a small table in the left rear corner of the room, and lifted on end of a towel that covers a pan). She had bread set.(S tands still.)MRS. HALE (eyes fixed on a loaf of bread beside the breadbox, which is on a low shelf at the other side of the room. Moves slowly toward it.)she was goingto put this in there. (Picks up loaf, then abruptly drops it. In a manner of returning to familiar things.) It's a shame about her fruit. I wonder if it's all gone. (Gets up on the chair and looks.) I think there's some here that's all right, Mrs. Peters. Yes--here; (Holding it toward the window.) This is cherries, too. (Looking again.) I declare I believe that's the only one. (Gets down, bottle in her hand. Goes to the sink and wipes it off on the outside.) She'll feel awful bad after all her hard work in the hot weather. I remember the afternoon I put up my cherries last summer.(She puts the bottle on the big kitchen table, center of the room, front table. With a sigh, is about to sit down in the rocking chair. Before she is seated realizes what chair it is; with a slow look at it, steps back. The chair, which she has touched, rocks back and forth.)MRS. PETERS. Well, I must get those things from the front room closet. [She goes to the door at the right, but after looking into the other room, steps back.] You coming with me, Mrs. Hale? You could help me carry them. (T hey go into the other room; reappear, Mrs. Peters carrying a dress and skirt, Mrs. Hale following with a pair of shoes.)MRS. PETERS. My, it's cold in there. (She puts the cloth on the big table, and hurries to the stove.)MRS HALE (examining the ski rt). Wright was close. I think maybe that's why she kept so much to herself. She didn't even belong to the Ladies' Aid. I suppose she felt she couldn't do her part, and then you don't enjoy things when you feel shabby. She used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was MInnie Foster, one of the town girls singing in the choir. But that--oh, that was thirty years ago. This all you was to take?MRS. PETERS. She said she wanted an apron. Funny thing to want, for there isn't much to get you dirty in jail, goodness knows. But I suppose just to make her feel more natural. She said they was in the top drawer in this cupboard. Yes, here. And then her little shawl that always hung behind the door. (O pens stair door and looks.) Yes, here it is. (Quickly shuts door leading upstairs..)MRS. HALE (a bruptly moving toward her.) Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Do you think she did it?MRS. PETERS (in a frightened voice.) Oh, I don't know.MRS. HALE. Well, I don't think she did. Asking for an apron and her little shawl. Worrying about her fruit.MRS. PETERS (s tarts to speak, glances up, where footsteps are heard in the room above. In a low voice.) Mrs. Peters says it looks bad for her. Mr. Henderson is awful sarcastic in speech, and he'll make fun of her sayin' she didn't wake up.MRS. HALE. Well, I guess John Wright didn't wake when they was slipping that rope under his neck.MRS. PETERS. No, it's strange. It must have been done awful crafty and still. They say it was such a --funny way to kill a man, rigging it all up like that.MRS. HALE. That's just what Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in the house. He says that's what he can't understand.MRS. PETERS. Mr. Henderson said coming out that what was needed for the case was a motive; something to show anger or--sudden feeling.MRS. HALE (who is standing by the table). Well, I don't see any signs of anger around here. (s he puts her hand on the dish towel which lies on the table, stands looking down at the table, one half of which is clean, the other half messy.) It's wiped here. (M akes a move as if to finish work, then turns and looks at loaf of bread outside the breadbox. Drops towel. In that voice of coming back to familiar things. ) Wonder how they are finding things upstairs? I hope she had it a little more there. You know, it seems kind of sneaking. Locking her up in town and then coming out here and trying to get her own house to turn against her!MRS. PETERS. But, Mrs. Hale, the law is the law.MRS. HALE. I s'pose 'tis. (Unbuttoning her coa t.) Better loosen up your things, Mrs. Peters. You won't feel them when you go out. (Mrs. Peters takes off her fur tippet, goes to hang it on hook at the back of room, stands looking at the under part of the small corner table.)MRS. PETERS. She was piecing a quilt. (She brings the large sewing basket, and they look at the bright pieces.)MRS. HALE. It's log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn't it? I wonder if she was goin' to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.)SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands over the stove). Frank's fire didn't do much up there, did it? Well, let's go out to the barn and get that cleared up. (The men go outside.)MRS. HALE (resentfully). I don't know as there's anything so strange, our takin' up our time with little things while we're waiting for them to get the evidence. (She sits down at the big table, smoothing out a block with decision.) I don't see as it's anything to laugh about.MRS. PETERS. (apologetically). Of course they've got awful important things on their minds. (Pulls up a chair and joins Mrs. Hale at the table.)MRS. HALE (examining another block.) Mrs. Peters, look at this one. Here, this is the one she was working on, and look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It's all over the place! Why, it looks as if she didn't know what she was about! (After she has said this, they look at each other, then start to glance back at the door. After an instant Mrs. Hale has pulled at a knot and ripped the sewing.)MRS. PETERS. Oh, what are you doing, Mrs. Hale?MRS. HALE (mildly). Just pulling out a stitch or two that's not sewed very good. (Threading a needle). Bad sewing always made me fidgety.MRS. PETERS. (nervously). I don't think we ought to touch things.MRS. HALE. I'll just finish up this end. (Suddenly stopping and leaning forward.) Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mrs. Hale?MRS. HALE. What do you suppose she was so nervous about?MRS. PETERS. Oh--I don't know. I don't know as she was nervous. I sometimes sew awful queer when I'm just tired. (Mrs. Hale starts to say something looks at Mrs. Peters, then goes on sewing.) Well, I must get these things wrapped up. They may be through sooner than we think. (Putting apron and other things together.) I wonder where I can find a piece of paper, and string.MRS. HALE. In that cupboard, maybe.MRS. PETER. (looking in cupboard). Why, here's a birdcage. (Holds it up.) Did she have a bird, Mrs. Hale?MRS. HALE. Why, I don't know whether she did or not--I've not been here for so long. There was a man around last year selling canaries cheap, but I don't know as she took one; maybe she did. She used to sing real pretty herself.MRS. PETERS. (glancing around). Seems funny to think of a bird here. But she must have had one, or why should she have a cage? I wonder what happened to it?MRS. HALE. I s'pose maybe the cat got it.MRS. PETERS. No, she didn't have a cat. She's got that feeling some people have about cats--being afraid of them. My cat got in her room, and she was real upset and asked me to take it out.MRS. HALE. My sister Bessie was like that. Queer, ain't it?MRS. PETERS. (examining the cage). Why, look at this door. It's broke. One hinge is pulled apart.MRS. HALE. (looking, too.) Looks as if someone must have been rough with it.MRS. PETERS. Why, yes. (she brings the cage forward and puts it on the table.)MRS. HALE. I wish if they're going to find any evidence they'd be about it. I don't like this place.MRS. PETERS. But I'm awful glad you came with me, Mrs. Hale. It would be lonesome of me sitting here alone.MRS. HALE. It would, wouldn't it? (Dropping her sewing). But I tell you what I do wish, Mrs. Peters. I wish I had come over sometimes she was here. I-- (Looking around the room.)--wish I had.MRS. PETERS. But of course you were awful busy, Mrs. Hale---your house and your children.MRS. HALE. I could've come. I stayed away because it weren't cheerful--and that's why I ought to have come. I--I've never liked this place. Maybe because it's down in a hollow, and you don't see the road. I dunno what it is, but it's a lonesome place and always was. I wish I had come over to see Minnie Foster sometimes. I can see now--(Shakes her head.)MRS. PETERS. Well, you mustn't reproach yourself, Mrs. Hale. Somehow we just don't see how it is with other folks until--something comes up.MRS. HALE. Not having children makes less work--but it makes a quiet house, and Wright out to work all day, and no company when he did come in. Did you know John Wright, Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Not to know him; I've seen him in town. They say he was a good man.MRS. HALE. Yes--good; he didn't drink, and kept his word as well as most, I guess, and paid his debts. But he was a hard man, Mrs. Peters. Just to pass the time of day with him. (Shivers.) Like a raw wind that gets to the bone. (Pauses, her eye falling on the cage.) I should think she would 'a wanted a bird. But what do you suppose went with it?MRS. PETERS. I don't know, unless it got sick and died. (S he reaches over and swings the broken door, swings it again; both women watch it.)MRS.> HALE. She--come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself--real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and--fluttery. How--she--did--change. (Silence; then as if struck by a happy thought and relieved to get back to everyday things.) Tell you what, Mrs. Peters, why don't you take the quilt in with you? It might take up her mind.MRS. PETERS. Why, I think that's a real nice idea, Mrs. Hale. There couldn't possible be any objection to it, could there? Now, just what would I take? I wonder if her patches are in here--and her things. (They look in the sewing basket.)MRS. HALE. Here's some red. I expect this has got sewing things in it (Brings out a fancy box.) What a pretty box. Looks like something somebody would give you. Maybe her scissors are in here. (Opens box. Suddenly puts her hand to her nose.) Why-- (M rs. Peters bend nearer, then turns her face away.) There's something wrapped up in this piece of silk.MRS. PETERS. Why, this isn't her scissors.MRS. HALE (lifting the silk.) Oh, Mrs. Peters--it's-- (Mrs. Peters bend closer.) MRS. PETERS. It's the bird.MRS. HALE (jumping up.) But, Mrs. Peters--look at it. Its neck! Look at its neck! It's all--other side to.MRS. PETERS. Somebody--wrung--its neck.(Their eyes meet. A look of growing comprehension of horror. Steps are heardoutside. Mrs. Hale slips box under quilt pieces, and sinks into her chair. Enter Sheriff and County Attorney. Mrs. Peters rises.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (as one turning from serious thing to little pleasantries). Well, ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it? MRS. PETERS. We think she was going to--knot it.COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, that's interesting, I'm sure. (Seeing the birdcage.) Has the bird flown?MRS. HALE (putting more quilt pieces over the bo x.) We think the--cat got it. COUNTY ATTORNEY (preoccupied). Is there a cat?(Mrs. Hale glances in a quick covert way at Mrs. Peters.) MRS. PETERS. Well, not now. They're superstitious, you know. They leave. COUNTY ATTORNEY (to Sheriff Peters, continuing an interrupted conversation.) No sign at all of anyone having come from the outside. Their own rope. Now let's go up again and go over it piece by piece. (T hey start upstai rs.) It would have to have been someone who knew just the--(Mrs. Peters sits down. The two women sit there not looking at one another, but as if peering into something and at the same time holding back. When they talk now, it is the manner of feeling their way over strange ground, as if afraid of what they are saying, but as if they cannot help saying it.) MRS. HALE. She liked the bird. She was going to bury it in that pretty box.MRS. PETERS. (in a whisper). When I was a girl--my kitten--there was a boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes--and before I could get there--(Covers her face an instant.) If they hadn't held me back, I would have-- (Catches herself, looks upstairs, where steps are heard, falters weakly.)--hurt him.MRS. HALE (with a slow look around her.) I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. (Pause.) No, Wright wouldn't like the bird--a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too.MRS. PETERS (moving uneasily). We don't know who killed the bird.MRS. HALE. I knew John Wright.MRS. PETERS. It was an awful thing was done in this house that night, Mrs. Hale. Killing a man while he slept, slipping a rope around his neck that choked the life out of him.MRS. HALE. His neck, Choked the life out of him.(Her hand goes out and rests on the birdcage.) MRS. PETERS (with a rising voice). We don't know who killed him. We don't know.MRS. HALE (her own feeling not interrupted.) If there'd been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful--still, after the bird was still.MRS. PETERS (something within her speaking). I know what stillness is. When we homesteaded in Dakota, and my first baby died--after he was two years old, and me with no other then--MRS. HALE (moving). How soon do you suppose they'll be through, looking for evidence?MRS. PETERS. I know what stillness is. (Pulling herself back). The law has got to punish crime, Mrs. Hale. MRS. HALE (not as if answering that). I wish you'd seen MInnie Foster when she wore a white dress with blue ribbons and stood up there in the choir and sang. (A look around the room). Oh, I wish I'd come over here once in a while! That was a crime! That was a crime! Who's going to punish that?MRS. Peters (looking upstairs). We mustn't--take on.MRS. HALE. I might have known she needed help! I know how things canbe--for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things--it's all just a different kind of the same thing. (Brushes her eyes, noticing the bottle of fruit, reaches out for it.) If I was you, I wouldn't tell her her fruit was gone. Tell her it ain't. Tell her it's all right. Take this in to prove it to her. She--she may never know whether it was broke or not.MRS. PETERS (t akes the bottle, looks about for something to wrap it in; takes petticoat from the clothes brought from the other room, very nervously begins winding this around the bottle. In a false voice). My, it's a good thing the men couldn't hear us. Wouldn't they just laugh! Getting all stirred up over a little thing like a--dead canary. As if that could have anything to dowith--with--wouldn't they laugh!(The men are heard coming downstairs.) MRS. HALE (under her breath). Maybe they would--maybe they wouldn't.COUNTY ATTORNEY. No, Peters, it's all perfectly clear except a reason for doing it. But you know juries when it comes to women. If there was some definite thing. Something to show--something to make a story about--a thingthat would connect up with this strange way of doing it.(The women's eyes meet for an instant. Enter Hale from outer door.)HALE. Well, I've got the team around. Pretty cold out there.COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'm going to stay here awhile by myself (To the Sheriff). You can send Frank out for me, can't you? I want to go over everything. I'm not satisfied that we can't do better.SHERIFF. Do you want to see what Mrs. Peters is going to take in?(The Lawyer goes to the table, picks up the apron, laughs.) COUNTY ATTORNEY. Oh I guess they're not very dangerous things the ladies have picked up. (M oves a few things about, disturbing the quilt pieces which cover the box. Steps back.) No, Mrs. Peters doesn't need supervising. For that matter, a sheriff's wife is married to the law. Ever think of it that way, Mrs. Peters?MRS. PETERS. Not--just that way.SHERIFF (chuckling). Married to the law. (M oves toward the other room.) I just want you to come in here a minute, George. We ought to take a look at these windows.COUNTY ATTORNEY (scoffingly). Oh, windows!SHERIFF. We'll be right out, Mr. Hale.(Hale goes outside. The Sheriff follows the County Attorney into the other room. Then Mrs. Hale rises, hands tight together, looking intensely at Mrs. Peters, whose eyes take a slow turn, finally meeting Mrs. Hale's. A moment Mrs. Hale holds her, then her own eyes point the way to where the box is concealed. Suddenly Mrs. Peters throws back quilt pieces and tries to put the box in the bag she is wearing. It is too big. She opens box, starts to take the bird out, cannot touch it, goes to pieces, stands there helpless. Sound of a knob turning in the other room. Mrs. Hale snatches the box and puts it in the pocket of her big coat. Enter County Attorney and Sheriff.)COUNTY ATTORNEY (facetiously). Well, Henry, at least we found out that she was not going to quilt it. She was going to--what is it you call it, ladies! MRS. HALE (her hand against her pocke t). We call it--knot it, Mr. Henderson.。

励志英语格言：只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针！1、只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针。

as long as kung fu deep, iron pestle into a needle.2、耐心和恒心总会得到报酬的。

patience and perseverance will get paid.3、少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。

a young don't work hard, idle young, needy old.4、所谓天才，就是努力的力量。

the so-called genius is to strive force.5、别再自己摸索，问路才不会迷路。

don't oneself fumble, to ask the way won't get lost.6、没关系，说得很好，再来一遍好吗？it doesn't matter, you're good, do it again, please?7、树欲静而风不止，子欲养而亲不在。

the trees may prefer calm but the wind will not subside, to raise and kiss the son is not here.8、不管雨下多久，ZUI终彩虹总会出现。

no matter how long the rain, rainbow will appear.9、每一件事都要用多方面的角度来看它。

every thing is to use various point of view it.10、只有登上山顶，才能看到远处的风光。

only on the top of the mountain, can see the distant scenery.11、耕耘者的汗水是哺育种子成长的乳汁。

is the ploughman sweat milk feeding seeds grow.12、让挡在你面前的绊脚石成为你的垫脚石。