Personally, I was a bit more confused by this story than any of the others. There was no specific date mentioned, but by the wording and descriptions, I picture an older midwestern town in the nineteenth century. I do believe that it mentions the city of Omaha as being close by. I am clear on the fact that story is a murder investigation, however, I am uncertain with many of the details that Glaspell was trying to convey. Examples would include the bag of flour on the kitchen counter, they kept mentioning that it was half sifted, but I never remember hearing a reason for this or any resolution. References to the quilt pattern was also very unclear to me. The birdcage was another detail that I was unclear about. It is clear that the bird was killed by a broken neck. Beyond that it doesn't specify much else about it other than the fact that the other women were hiding the bird's broken neck from the sheriff and attorney. The ending, I feel left a lot to be desired. There was no closure in my opinion. It just ends with the ladies saying it was a knot.
Posted by ChristopherParfitt at February 1, 2005 10:36 PM | TrackBackWhat would have happened if the women hadn't hidden the bird? What ethical decision was it necessary for them to make -- particularly the sheriff's wife -- in order to perform that action? If you think of this like a mystery, you'll see that all these details are clues that add up to something.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at February 2, 2005 09:52 AM