Questions: A Jury of Her Peers

1. How do the women differ in their communication methods from the men
throughout the text?
The women in the story, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, communicate differently
from the men. They communicate their thoughts and feelings through more
indirect, subtle language and nonverbal cues. Men, on the other hand, use
more direct and assertive language, frequently interrupting and dismissing
women's opinions.
2. Explain how men view women in the story. Give examples from the story to
support your answer.
The men in the story view women as inferior and unimportant. They dismiss
the women's concerns and opinions, and make sexist comments about them.
For example, the county attorney says, "Well, women are used to worrying
over trifles." The sheriff also says, "Nothing here but kitchen things." These
comments show how the men underestimate and devalue women.
3. What is the effect of Minnie Wright's absence from the story, "A Jury of Her
Peers"?
Minnie Wright's absence from the story creates a sense of mystery and
intrigue around her character. It also allows the focus to be on the women's
experiences and perspectives, rather than on the crime itself. Through their
investigation of Minnie's home and belongings, the women piece together a
picture of her life and the events that led up to John Wright's murder.
4. How do Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale eventually come to understand and
empathize with each other by the end of the story?
Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale come to understand and empathize with each
other through their shared experiences as women. They both recognize the
injustice and oppression that women face in a male-dominated society, and
they bond over their mutual desire to support and protect one another. Mrs.
Peters comes to see Mrs. Hale as a kindred spirit and ally.
5. How do you think the story illustrates the relationship between law and
justice, and about the civil responsibilities of persecuted individuals?
The story illustrates how the law can be blind to the needs and experiences of
marginalized groups, such as women. The men in the story, who are
representatives of the law, are dismissive of the women's concerns and fail to
recognize the injustice that has been done to Minnie Wright. The story also
highlights the importance of individual responsibility in seeking justice and
fighting against oppression.
6. Do you think Minnie Wright killed John Wright? Why or why not? If you
think Minnie killed him, do you think she was justified in doing so? Explain.
It is not explicitly stated in the story whether or not Minnie Wright killed John
Wright. However, the evidence discovered by the women suggests that she
was motivated to commit the crime by her oppressive and abusive marriage.
If Minnie did murder John, it could be interpreted as self-defense or as a
response to years of mistreatment and neglect. However, murder is never
justified, and it is important to hold individuals accountable for their actions,
even in cases where they may have been victims themselves.