Comparison Of The Dog And A Jury Of Her Peers

Short stories seem to hold the reader in the dark until the very end. The truth is usually revealed by the author on the last few pages. However, the authors' sometimes let the conclusion up to the reader. The title of the stories can be a major hint of how the author wants you to think. "Beware the Dog" by Roald Dahl could also be titled: "Things are not What They Seem to be." "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell you must conclude that without the ladies evidence that Mrs. Wright may get off.

The stories both take place in one room settings a kitchen and a hospital room (Similarity). The first story, "Beware of the Dog" is told in first person (the Pilot) (Contrast #1). He talks of being hit in his Spitfire and losing his one leg.

Hale's Wife (Martha). Martha Hale is a farmer's wife from the next farm over. She knew the victim Mr. Wright and she knew Mrs. Wright (Minnie Foster) since their childhood. She relates to how things around the house must be completed as there is no time to go back to do things later. When Mr. Hale stops to try to convince Mr. Wright to install phone service he discovers Mrs. Wright in the kitchen and the finds Mr. Wright's dead body upstairs. Mrs. Wright is taken into custody. The next day, the Sheriff with his wife, the County Attorney (Young Henderson) along with Mr. and Mrs. Hale return to the farm house to look for evidence and the women were to get some things for Mrs. Wright to wear while being held in jail. They were to wait the go ahead by the Sheriff as not to destroy evidence. As the men looked for evidence, the ladies sat in the kitchen and observed several things that only a woman would probably noticed. Things were left half-done on the table, the bird cage door was broken, and the knitting patches were perfect except for a top few that were miss-stitched. The ladies talked about how Minnie Foster was a happy teenage and love to sing. They talked about how depression must happen over the years and how lonely she must have been. The Sheriff's wife admits about her own depression with the lost of a two-year old child. Finally, they discover the bird with its broken neck that was twisted (Similarities/Suspicions /two facts). They

Wright ) being held as a the murder suspect is left go (Contrast). However, she admits to being in bed when Mr. Wright was killed. She claims that she never woke-up. Will, Mrs. Wright go to trial???

Finally, both authors do a good job of holding back and letting the stories unfold slowly.

You know the conclusion in the first story and in the second you must decide the ending for yourself. The stories, therefore, showed some similar aspects as well as some major differences. The stories were very enjoyable to read.

A few of the similarities that existed between the stories were as follows: Both main characters (Mr. Peter and Mrs. Wright) are being held captive. No children were involved as characters. The Theme of both stories was in looking for the truth. The authors also maintain a small amount of suspense by making the clues somewhat vague. However, both stories deal with pain and suffering in both mind and body. Finally, you are able to understand how the authors came up with their