An Evening of One Acts

Trifles

In Trifles, Susan Glaspell's play, tells a story of mystery surrounding an apparent murder. Set in the early twentieth century, it either late fall or winter. The main point was the plight that faced so many women during that time in history. Glaspell illustrates how women were considered second class by society and their own husbands.

Neighbors
by Arkady Leokum

Chuck and Mary Robinson, anxious to promote the cause of integration, have decided to sell their house to blacks. The house is quite expensive and the neighborhood exclusive, but Chuck and Mary (who are moving to a smaller house nearby) are resolved to face whatever problems may result and to stand firm for their principles. When their buyers, an affluent black couple, arrive, all goes with surprising ease--at first--and a check is accepted as down payment. But then, gradually but inexorably, the unspoken tensions emerge--the black couple stripping away at the facade of self-conscious affability which their hosts have assumed, and flaunting the essential "blackness" which they have no intention of modifying. In the explosive climax of the play all pretense vanishes--on both sides--having a wreckage of good intentions from which only remorse can arise.