Category: Entry 11

According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, inquired is defined as to put a question: seek for information by questioning. In the reading “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell, the word appears on page 154 as stated, “I suppose anything Mrs. Peters does’ll be all right?” the sheriff inquired. “She was to take in some clothes for her, you know–and a few little things. We left in such a hurry yesterday.” Now knowing what the word means, the sheriff was asking a question for more information.

Plaintiff: a person who brings a case against another in a court of law. (noun)

I heard this word said by one of the people in my group while working on the presentation. I looked it up and got that definition. We were talking about the opposing lawyer who is claiming that Delia from the story Sweat is guilty. The opposing lawyer in this case is the plaintiff since he is arguing his claim and making a case out of it. I understood what the word meant by this example.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word ‘Venture’ means to proceed especially in the face of danger. Which in simplest terms, it would be to take a risk. In the reading ‘A Jury Of Her Peers’ by Susan Glaspell, this word was found on the first page in the sentence “”The country’s not very pleasant this time of year,” Mrs.Peters at last ventured, as if she felt they ought to be talking as well as the men.” By the definition given above, I can interpret that Mrs.Peters talks to the men to join in the conversation but also approach it in risk.

Acquiescence (noun): consent without protest.

Source: Webster’s New World 4th Edition (pocket dictionary).

In Glaspell’s A Jury of Her Peers the county attorney and sheriff are trashing Mrs. Wright’s house. They complain on how bad of a housewife she was because the house is messy when they look for evidence. So Mrs. Hale gets mad and almost offended as if it were her home. She even says in a mad tone that she would not like it if someone came to her house and criticized how she kept it and made a mess of it. “‘Of course it’s no more than their duty,’ said the sheriff’s wife, in a manner of timid acquiescence.” Her shyness does not allow her to protest or speak up. She is a more submissive wife than Mrs. Hale.

Diana Galvez

The word incisively is an adverb and according to Merriam-Webster means impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation). This word can be found in “A jury of her peers” by Susan Glaspell. In the text it says, “ ‘No, Peters, ‘ said the county attorney incisively; ‘it’s all perfectly clear, except the reason for doing it….’” This shows that while Mrs. Hale was trying to tell the county attorney that a jury would believe that Mrs. Wright killed her own husband even if they don’t know the reason why. The county attorney in this section is trying to clear and percise that it’s obvious this was murder even though they can’t see the reason behind it. Using this word will help prove my points in writing because it’ll make me sound sophisticated.

ke•en (adjective)

According to the dictionary, the word keen means sharp or penetrating. This word is found in the story, “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell on page 154 when it states, “He stopped and gave her a keen look”. Now knowing the definition of the word it helps better understand that the character gave the women a penetrating or sharp look.

Disdainful (adjective): full of or expressing contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior, full of or expressing scorn or disdain.

The word disdainful I encountered when reading the story entitled, “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell. On page 155, it states that, “Then, as if releasing herself from something strange. Mrs. Hale began to arrange the dirty pans under the sink, which the county attorney’s disdainful push of the foot had deranged”. I have encountered this word numerous times after reviewing the story on Thursday, November 15th, 2018. When I stumbled upon this word, I was unsure of the meaning within the context in the story. It was describing two different events occurring; one with Mrs. Hale and one of the county attorney’s. I assumed the word disdainful meant something unpleasing to a certain extent. I assumed it was because the county attorney had “shoved” the pans as if he was scooting them over. I see it has a deeper meaning than that because following that paragraph Mrs. Hale was talking about men criticizing them and snooping. I see it means now to express contempt and feeling inferior because within that society women are inferior to the men. They are seen to perform tasks such as housekeeping and are still scorned if it is not to the men’s liking.