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The Real Inspector Hound And Trifles

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“The Real Inspector Hound” and the “Trifles”

A Play, a form of literature consisting melodramatic dialogues, and characters. Due to complex and ambiguous concept, plays are often difficult to define. (Eberle). When analyzing plays, it is important that we comprehend the theme, the characters and the plot. “The Real Inspector Hound” and “Trifles”, two plays have many similarities and differences. “The Real Inspector Hound”, a play written in 1961 by Tom Stoppard is a play within a play, consisting of narratives of the critics watching the play, and the play they are reviewing. In contrast, “Trifles” was written in 1916 by Susan Glaspell and builds upon the murder investigation of John Wright. While, both plays were influenced from distinctive …show more content…

Birdboot is well known theatre critic, who commences young actress into fame by presenting splendid reviews in return for sexual favors. Moon is a second string theater critic, and a substitute for Higgs; an acclaimed critic. Both Birdboot and Moon struggle with their individual resentments, which quite often intervenes their analysis of the play. While Moon is concerned about his identity being overshadowed by Higgs, Birdboot fears that his recognition of being a marvelous critic is being overshadowed by his reputation of being a womanizer. While their story is set in the theater, the play they are reviewing in the theater is set in Muldoon Manor. The play is built upon a mysterious plot, where a madman is set loose. As the play progresses, Birdboot gets trapped in it, as he is mistaken for Simon. He is later shot dead by an assailant soon after recognizing the dead body as Higgs. Meanwhile, Moon discovers himself playing Inspector Hound’s character. As he attempts to return to the seat, he finds that the original Inspector Hound and Simon have overtaken his and Birdboot’s role of critic. Towards the end of the play, as Moon is shot and lies dying on the floor, Magnus reveals himself to be the real Inspector Hound and also the long-lost husband of Cynthia. Moon, on the other hand, recognizes him as Puckeridge, the third string critic, who will …show more content…

One significant similarity between two plays are that they are inspired by true events. “The Real Inspector Hound” is inspired from Agatha Christie’s play “The Mousetrap”, while “Trifles” is loosely based on an event that the author covered during her career as a journalist. While watching both plays, the audience may not find many similarities between them, as far as the storyline is concerned. However, both play follows a close resemblance in terms of its theme of justice and identity. In “The Real Inspector Hound”, the author presents an aberrant version of justice, in which he claims that in order to bring justice, one must commit an injustice, therefore, justice can never be fully achieved. “Trifles” follows a similar emphasis as the author reveals the true motive of Mrs. Wright behind murder of John Wright. His injustice towards his wife led her to take the antagonistic measure in order to bring justice, however, in the process, she commits a crime. Although, the motive behind justice varies in both plays. In “The Real Inspector Hound”, Birdboot, Moon and Puckeridge’s quest for justice was driven upon hatred, jealousy and ambition while Mrs. Wright’s purpose was to prevent indecency, and wrongdoings of her husband. Although, in both cases, the quest for justice was provoked due to

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