Trifles (Dramatized) Audiobook, by Susan Glaspell Play Audiobook Sample

Trifles (Dramatized) Audiobook

Trifles (Dramatized) Audiobook, by Susan Glaspell Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jeanie Hackett, Amy Madigan, Sam McMurray, Stephen Vinovich, Steven Weber Publisher: L.A. Theatre Works Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 0.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 0.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2011 Format: Original Staging Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

Written by Susan Glaspell in 1916, Trifles is a one-act play about a woman accused of strangling her husband. Based on an actual murder case reported by Glaspell for the Des Moines News, the play represented an early exploration of gender relationships in a time when women often were considered to be mere trifles. A groundbreaking feminist play, Trifles is often included in anthologies of drama and literature.

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring (in alphabetical order): Jeanie Hackett as Mrs. Peters; Amy Madigan as Mrs. Hale; Sam McMurray as the Sheriff; Steven Vinovich as Mr. Hale; and Steven Weber as the County Attorney. Directed by Rosalind Ayres. Recorded at The Invisible Studios, Los Angeles, in 2011.

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"This play is really short, but it touches on a lot of interesting subjects. Probably number one is the relationship between gender and power in American society, though admittedly in the early 20th century. The smug paternalism of the male characters, and the reconstructed brutality of John Wright stand in stark contrast to the women's reluctance to pass judgment and ability to empathize with Mrs. Wright. The only odd spot is Mrs. Wright herself. Although we are, I think, meant to conclude that she murdered her husband because he killed the canary that was her only companion, the rest of her actions and concerns are unexplained. For instance, her seeming willingness to be caught in the house, her request for an apron and some other household things (though the two women speculate that she simply wants to feel normal). Of course, her absence makes it really difficult to get any understanding of her, and all we have to work from is the two women's speculation."

— Phil (5 out of 5 stars)

Trifles (Dramatized) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 5 (3.91)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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4 Stars: 0
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A short, one act play demonstrating great irony in the way men relate to women's trifles. When a wife is in jail for possibly murdering her husband, it is these trifles which prove to be quite significant. "

    — Amanda, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " an interesting play that questions whether or not murder can be justified in an unjust world? "

    — Erica, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this play. It is a one act and every time I read it I love it more. The basic story is three men and two of their wives to out to an old farm house where the man has been murdered and the men look for clues while the women spend their time on "trifles." Fascinating in its message and implications. "

    — Lindsey, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I didn't completely understand this play the first time I read it, mostly because I missed one of the most important clues the women find from Minnie's things. But once I understood the play, I did grow to like it more and write a good essay about it. It's a fun play to discuss, I just wish it was a tad bit longer. "

    — Taylor, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's a very concise play, yet powerful enough to strike you at every word. "

    — Shymaa, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was a weird play to read, but by the end I understood it. "

    — Kay, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this play can be described in one word: subtle- so it's not for everyone. truly captures life from a woman's point of view, especially at the play's time and place. very realistic, minimalistic, and well done. "

    — Samaa, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Read for school. Nice and short. "

    — Carolanne, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I was a little spook out from the beginning, but towards the end it was really good. I would say what my opinions on what happen to the death of the farmer, but I don't want to ruin it. I would like to see this play in the future someday. "

    — Snoko, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked that she knew how to surprise the reader by finding the dead bird. "

    — Nurolhudah, 12/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was anthologized in another book that I read. It packs quite a meaningful statement into just one act, and is especially interesting to look at from the perspective of gender theory. "

    — Katie, 11/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved it. The irony of the situation was wonderful. "

    — Lauren, 11/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVE plays. I only wish I could see this one in person! The clues are subtle enough to keep the audience in the loop and wanting more. "

    — Cecilia, 9/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was the first thing I read in my American Literary Masterpieces class; a way to get us used to discussion and analysis. I liked it a lot, and I'm glad I read it. I owe this, a bit, to inspiring my own play. "

    — Suzanne, 9/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was so short, but so good. I wish it was longer than just one act though. "

    — Amy, 7/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Nice book.when i read irt first i couldnt get but them i read it again find out the real meaning of the play. "

    — Fabiola, 5/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Trifles is a lot more than one would expect it to be. The themes of the play turned in a very different and delightfully surprising direction that really made it more enjoyable for me. "

    — Taryn, 4/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I loved this play. "

    — Andrew, 2/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The subtlety of Glaspell's writing is something that I greatly appreciate. "

    — Letitia, 10/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Read as part of Stages of Drama, Fifth Edition and of Literature for Composition, Ninth Edition. "

    — AlexS, 10/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The story of two women having the courage to secretly live a life of solidarity by saving the life of one of their own while breaking Victorian cultural codes and the law at the same time! A story illustrating the emergence of feminism with a little hint of Freud to boot. "

    — Michele, 8/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Ein humoristischer Seitenhieb auf die klassischen Geschlechterrollen. "

    — Dennis, 9/28/2011

About Susan Glaspell

Susan Glaspell (1876–1948) was a Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright, novelist, biographer, poet, actress, and director. Her works include Trifles, A Jury of Her Peers, and Fidelity. Her work was strongly influenced by a murder trial Glaspell covered for a newspaper, in which a woman was convicted of murdering her husband.