Dialogue and how it communicates a story

 In Susan Glaspell’s short story, “A Jury of Her Peers” and the one act play by the same author, “Trifles”, Glaspell highlights the differences in two genres that aim to do the same thing, which is tell a story. One of the main differences that show up dialogue is used for character portrayal. In the play, the dialogue has to carry the entire story, since the visual elements on stage that will convey mood and setting. This is seen characters Mrs. Hale in Mr. Peters express their thoughts directly in conversation instead through the internal reflection that a short story would. For instance, in the play, Mrs. hale's remarks “I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing,” this line shows the protective feelings towards many but without the need for narration. In the short story, this sentiment is instead developed through Martha's internal reflection over not visiting Minnie, it is way less direct but it builds a deeper that sense of her empathy and regret.

 

The shift in genre also impacts how the atmosphere and setting are conveyed. In a play stage directions implies the mood through descriptions like the “gloomy kitchen” and Minnies “incomplete work”, That creates an immediate sense of abandonment. This is in contrast to the short story that provides more detailed descriptions of the setting through the use of a narrator, which also allows for slow to build up tension. Dialogue also helps shape characters differently in each form. In Trifles,  Mrs. Peter’s Transformation is made clear through her response to Mrs. Hales dialogue like when she responds to the question of minnie's guilt with, “Oh, I don't know“, revealing to condemn many. This is a contrast to the short story whereas shown through her body language and internal hesitation , adding to the characters conflict.

 

Moreover, the plays dialogue- nature shows that any emotional revelation has to occur verbally, in a short story there can be a linger of silence or reflection Another example that comes to mind is in Trifles, when the discovery of the dead bird is accompanied by Mrs. Hales shocked exclamation, “Look at its neck!”, Whereas story the horror unfolds and a slower, more descriptive passage, that allows the reader to process the significance much more gradually. Nevertheless, the play format has more explicit dialogue visible action  this leads to a faster pace but also forces Glaspell to simplify the internal details, showing character depth as well as detention built in the plot.

 

 


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