What do you think?
Acting in self-defense can only occur when a person is experiencing an imminent threat.
Write “yes” or “no” in response to this statement and a paragraph about why you chose the answer you did. Turn in your response on Google Classroom
Read the background provided below about the play and the first newspaper articles dated December 3rd and 4th. When you've finished, complete a 3-2-1 check for understanding. You can include the 3-2-1 response on the same page as your paragraph response.
Write “yes” or “no” in response to this statement and a paragraph about why you chose the answer you did. Turn in your response on Google Classroom
Read the background provided below about the play and the first newspaper articles dated December 3rd and 4th. When you've finished, complete a 3-2-1 check for understanding. You can include the 3-2-1 response on the same page as your paragraph response.
- Note 3 things you learned from reading the background and articles.
- Note 2 things you found interesting
- Note 1 question you have about the play as you move forward.
Background
Sometime around midnight on December 1, 1900, John Hossack, a well-to-do, 59-year-old Iowa farmer, was attacked in bed by an axe-wielding assailant who literally beat out his brains as he slept. His wife became
the prime suspect after neighbors testified to her long-simmering hatred of her abusive spouse. Convicted of the murder, Mrs. Hossack was sentenced to life in prison. But on appeal a year later, she was released for lack of sufficient evidence. The mystery of John Hossack’s death was never solved.
Covering the sensational case was 24-year-old Susan Glaspell (1876–1948), at that time the legislative reporter for the Des Moines Daily News, the largest daily in the state. Shortly after the conclusion of the trial, Glaspell— who had been publishing short stories in Harper’s Monthly and American Magazine— quit journalism to devote herself full-time to fiction. Glaspell created, in just ten days, her one-act play Trifles, a thinly veiled take on the Hossack case with a decidedly feminist slant. Transforming the real case into fiction, Glaspell takes the liberty of supplying the missing evidence and motive, as a result of which the characters, the crime, the search for the evidence, and the judgement rendered appear in a very different light.
The play surprised and disturbed the audience, which expected a murder mystery but instead got an exploration of a motive and even possible justification for a murder. She then adapted the play into a short story called "A Jury of Her Peers."
Both Glaspell's play and her short story raise large questions about law and justice and about judgment and punishment, questions very much alive today. It also raises questions about the role of gender in relation to law and justice: When the Iowa crime was committed, and even when the story was published, women in Iowa were not yet allowed to vote or serve on juries. For this reason, some people treat Glaspell’s story largely as a political protest on behalf of women’s rights. But in the story itself, the gender issues are much richer and subtler.
the prime suspect after neighbors testified to her long-simmering hatred of her abusive spouse. Convicted of the murder, Mrs. Hossack was sentenced to life in prison. But on appeal a year later, she was released for lack of sufficient evidence. The mystery of John Hossack’s death was never solved.
Covering the sensational case was 24-year-old Susan Glaspell (1876–1948), at that time the legislative reporter for the Des Moines Daily News, the largest daily in the state. Shortly after the conclusion of the trial, Glaspell— who had been publishing short stories in Harper’s Monthly and American Magazine— quit journalism to devote herself full-time to fiction. Glaspell created, in just ten days, her one-act play Trifles, a thinly veiled take on the Hossack case with a decidedly feminist slant. Transforming the real case into fiction, Glaspell takes the liberty of supplying the missing evidence and motive, as a result of which the characters, the crime, the search for the evidence, and the judgement rendered appear in a very different light.
The play surprised and disturbed the audience, which expected a murder mystery but instead got an exploration of a motive and even possible justification for a murder. She then adapted the play into a short story called "A Jury of Her Peers."
Both Glaspell's play and her short story raise large questions about law and justice and about judgment and punishment, questions very much alive today. It also raises questions about the role of gender in relation to law and justice: When the Iowa crime was committed, and even when the story was published, women in Iowa were not yet allowed to vote or serve on juries. For this reason, some people treat Glaspell’s story largely as a political protest on behalf of women’s rights. But in the story itself, the gender issues are much richer and subtler.
The Hossack Murder
Indianola, Iowa, Dec. 3.— (Special.)— A foul murder was committed Saturday night near Medford, fifteen miles southwest of Indianola. A farmer named Hossack was struck over the head and killed by unknown parties, at his home a few miles out from Medford. The assault was probably committed by burglars, though of this the officers are not yet sure. Sheriff Lew Hodson and Dr. Harry Dale, coroner, went to the place Sunday, and subpoenaed a jury which was called
to meet this morning for an inquest. Mr. Hossack was an early settler, a prominent farmer, highly respected. He was about 60 years of age and leaves a wife and large family.
Indianola, Iowa, Dec. 4.— (Special.)— Persons who went to the home of John Hossack Monday and saw the murdered man in his bed, and heard portions of the testimony before the coroner’s jury, are all at sea as to who killed Hossack or for what reason. There is no evidence of burglary. The murderer came through a porch and front room to the bed room where Mr. and Mrs. Hossack slept. He evidently reached across the bed with an ax and struck two blows. One crushed in the skull and the other made a deep cut, yet Hossack lived from Saturday night until 10 a.m. Sunday, though he did not regain consciousness, and no one has yet been found who can give a clue to the murder. The ax was found under a shed about fifty feet from the house. Mrs. Hossack swore before the jury that she was awakened about midnight by the slamming of a door, saw a flash of light and then all was dark. She called to her husband but as he did not respond, she got up and lighted a lamp. Then she discovered him on the bed, with blood all over the clothing. She said she did not hear the blows nor see any one. The officers are investigating.
It is rumored that trouble had arisen in the Hossack household and that possibly some relative committed the murder.
The funeral of Mr. Hossack was set for Wednesday at 1 p.m. from the First M.E. church at New Virginia. The family consisted of wife, and four children, who were at home.
to meet this morning for an inquest. Mr. Hossack was an early settler, a prominent farmer, highly respected. He was about 60 years of age and leaves a wife and large family.
Indianola, Iowa, Dec. 4.— (Special.)— Persons who went to the home of John Hossack Monday and saw the murdered man in his bed, and heard portions of the testimony before the coroner’s jury, are all at sea as to who killed Hossack or for what reason. There is no evidence of burglary. The murderer came through a porch and front room to the bed room where Mr. and Mrs. Hossack slept. He evidently reached across the bed with an ax and struck two blows. One crushed in the skull and the other made a deep cut, yet Hossack lived from Saturday night until 10 a.m. Sunday, though he did not regain consciousness, and no one has yet been found who can give a clue to the murder. The ax was found under a shed about fifty feet from the house. Mrs. Hossack swore before the jury that she was awakened about midnight by the slamming of a door, saw a flash of light and then all was dark. She called to her husband but as he did not respond, she got up and lighted a lamp. Then she discovered him on the bed, with blood all over the clothing. She said she did not hear the blows nor see any one. The officers are investigating.
It is rumored that trouble had arisen in the Hossack household and that possibly some relative committed the murder.
The funeral of Mr. Hossack was set for Wednesday at 1 p.m. from the First M.E. church at New Virginia. The family consisted of wife, and four children, who were at home.
The Play
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First Thoughts
First Thoughts
What do you think of Mrs. Hale's action at the end of the play?
Revisit the initial statement: Acting in self-defense can only occur when a person is experiencing an imminent threat. What is the play's position on this statement? What makes you think so?
Has your response to this statement changed? Why or why not?
What do you predict will happen to Mrs. Wright?
What do you think of Mrs. Hale's action at the end of the play?
Revisit the initial statement: Acting in self-defense can only occur when a person is experiencing an imminent threat. What is the play's position on this statement? What makes you think so?
Has your response to this statement changed? Why or why not?
What do you predict will happen to Mrs. Wright?
Writing Assignment choices
Minnie Foster Wright was subsequently charged with first degree murder, and the case went to trial. The prosecuting attorney was Mr. Henderson, and the defense attorney was a court-appointed public defender from a nearby town.
The prosecution called the following witnesses: Sheriff Peters, Mr. Hale, Harry, and Mrs. Hale, all of whom he examined and all of whom the defense attorney cross-examined. The defense attorney did not call any witnesses, nor did he put Mrs. Wright on the stand.
In the American system, the prosecutor has to demonstrate means, motive, and opportunity and that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense has to show reasonable doubt or in a case like this provide a justifiable argument for self-defense.
Writing Assignment Choices
Choice #1 - Jury
The case went to the jury, and you were on that jury. You, of course, are a man because, according to the law at that time, women could not serve on juries. The foreman of the jury decided to call for a vote early, before very much discussion of the evidence. He allowed you a few minutes to organize your thoughts so that you could announce your vote and the reasons for your vote in five minutes or less. Your assignment is to write (approximately 250 words) what you said to the other jurors. Include trial testimony (paraphrased and directly quoted evidence from the play) to support your position.
Choice #2 - Prosecution
You are Mr. Henderson, the prosecuting attorney in the case of The State of Iowa v. Minnie Foster. Write your opening statement for the trial. You may use and adapt the template from our mock trial. Draw you deposition information from the character's lines from the play. What will you argue that will demonstrate means, motive, and opportunity?
Choice #3 - Defense
You are Mrs. Wright's court appointed defense attorney in the case of The State of Iowa v. Minnie Foster. Write your opening statement for the trial. You may choose to call witnesses and put Mrs. Wright on the stand. Use the mock trial template,adapting as needed, to draft your statement. What will you argue that will create reasonable doubt in the minds' of the jurors or provide a justifiable argument for self defense?
You will be asked to deliver your speeches to the "jury".
The prosecution called the following witnesses: Sheriff Peters, Mr. Hale, Harry, and Mrs. Hale, all of whom he examined and all of whom the defense attorney cross-examined. The defense attorney did not call any witnesses, nor did he put Mrs. Wright on the stand.
In the American system, the prosecutor has to demonstrate means, motive, and opportunity and that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense has to show reasonable doubt or in a case like this provide a justifiable argument for self-defense.
Writing Assignment Choices
Choice #1 - Jury
The case went to the jury, and you were on that jury. You, of course, are a man because, according to the law at that time, women could not serve on juries. The foreman of the jury decided to call for a vote early, before very much discussion of the evidence. He allowed you a few minutes to organize your thoughts so that you could announce your vote and the reasons for your vote in five minutes or less. Your assignment is to write (approximately 250 words) what you said to the other jurors. Include trial testimony (paraphrased and directly quoted evidence from the play) to support your position.
Choice #2 - Prosecution
You are Mr. Henderson, the prosecuting attorney in the case of The State of Iowa v. Minnie Foster. Write your opening statement for the trial. You may use and adapt the template from our mock trial. Draw you deposition information from the character's lines from the play. What will you argue that will demonstrate means, motive, and opportunity?
Choice #3 - Defense
You are Mrs. Wright's court appointed defense attorney in the case of The State of Iowa v. Minnie Foster. Write your opening statement for the trial. You may choose to call witnesses and put Mrs. Wright on the stand. Use the mock trial template,adapting as needed, to draft your statement. What will you argue that will create reasonable doubt in the minds' of the jurors or provide a justifiable argument for self defense?
You will be asked to deliver your speeches to the "jury".