Question

Which of the following stage directions from part one of Trifles supports the idea that the two women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, are stronger than they may at first appear?

Answer 1

I'd probably say (though out of context this could easily be wrong) that "the women do not unbend" was the correct answer here. It's the only one that doesn't seem directly wrong.

Answer 2

The stage direction from this excerpt that supports the idea that the two women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, are stronger than they may at first appear is "(The women do not unbend.)".

The meaning of the word 'unbend', which has been used in this excerpt, is to relax one's severity or stiffness. In Trifles, the two women show to be inflexible and determined, as it has been demonstrated in this stage direction. They are the ones that find the clues, such as the dead canary, that finally allow them to solve the mystery caused by the death of Mr. Wright. Unlike the men in the story, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are able to put the pieces together and they find out that it had been Mrs. Wright who killed Mr. Wright. Mrs. Wright is also a strong female character since she murders her husband after putting up with his abuse for some time. For portraying strong women, Trifles has been considered an early feminist drama.