A Jury of Her Peers

Why do Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale hide the crucial evidence that proves Mrs. Wright’s motive in the murder of her husband from the men? Explain the significance in terms of one of the themes of the story.

Discuss Glaspell’s use of setting in this story. The Wright’s kitchen in particular plays a crucial role in the plot. How does the house and overall setting relate to and describe a theme of the story? Explain.

Describe Glaspell’s use of an omniscient third-person narrator. What effect does her narrative voice have on your understanding of the different characters? Specifically, how does Glaspell use the omniscient narrator to reveal the men’s attitudes towards women and women’s roles? How does Glaspell use the omniscient narrator to reveal the women’s beliefs about themselves and about Minnie Wright? Explain.

What is the significance of the characters being called by their married or formal names? For example, Mrs. Peters’ first name never appears in the story. What effect does this have on our view of her character? At many points, Mrs. Hale thinks of Minnie Wright as Minnie Foster. Why does she do this, and what does it reveal about both Minnie Foster and Mrs. Hale? Be sure to include at least three characters in your discussion. Other suggestions include: Mrs. Hale, Mr. Hale, and Sheriff Peters.

What was Minnie Foster Wright’s life like? How did her character change after her marriage to John Wright? What is Glaspell saying about Minnie’s guilt or innocence? Describe her character in terms of the theme of isolation and loneliness. Be sure to account for her response to the death of her canary.

In a way, Mrs. Hale acts as Minnie Wright’s defense attorney, arguing her case to convince Mrs. Peters to help Minnie by hiding the dead bird. How successful is Mrs. Hale in convincing you that Minnie Foster Wright is not guilty? Explain.

What is the status of the relationships between husbands and wives depicted in this story? Use at least two examples, one of which must be Mr. and Mrs. Hale. How are their relationships defined and shaped by gender roles? Explain.

At the time that Glaspell wrote and published her story, women could not vote or sit on juries. Using your own research into the time period before 1920, when women won the right to vote in the United States, and evidence from this story, how do those historical facts change your view of the meaning of the title of the story, or not? Would it be easier or harder for a woman in Minnie Foster Wright’s situation to receive justice now? In what ways is Glaspell’s theme concerning justice and the law timeless? Explain.