Trifles Motif and theme development Name_________________________
Examine the following motifs: friendship home disillusionment gender roles belonging
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Find TWO (one sentence) quotations to support EACH of the motifs.
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Write them down and include page number.
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Bullet some ideas about why the quote is significant.
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You will have a total of 10 quotes with bullets when you are finished.
Identify themes:
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Identify themes based on THREE of the concepts you have chosen.
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Remember that themes are STATEMENTS that represent the author’s intent and purpose in using those concepts.
Your paper should look something like this:
Motif : ISOLATION
“If there’d been years and years of nothing, and then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful – still, after the bird was still.” (Mrs. Hale)
-for many years, Mrs. Wright had no company
-her house was always quiet
-“nothing” suggests that Mrs. W’s life was empty and lonely
-the bird provided companionship
-the quite and emptiness was worse after bird was gone
-it would be extremely difficult for Mrs.W to accept the loss of the
bird
“Oh, I wish I’d come over here once in a while! That was a crime! Who’s going to punish that?” (Mrs. Hale)
-Mrs. Hale feels guilty for not visiting Mrs. Wright
-Mrs. Hale realzes how empty Mrs. Wright’s life was
-Mrs. Hale feels that she could have helped Mrs. Wright by
visiting her and easing her loneliness
-Mrs. Hale feels responsible for the crime that was committed
Theme statement: The desperate actions of individuals suffering from isolation can prevent the progress of society.