As in the case of most, if not all, good allegorical stories, the primary impact of the tale is strongly influenced by the author's detailed characterization of the setting, as well as the characters' feelings and passions. Certainly such is the case in Susan Glaspell's story "A Jury of Her Peers". Here we see a richness of characterization and setting that is elusive at first reading, but becomes clearer as the story evolves. In the final analysis, it becomes clear just who the jury is and the outcome of their collective verdict. It is by the use of allegorical and metaphorical rhetoric that the tension of the story is maintained so very well.

Initially we are introduced to a woman, Mrs. Hale, who first seems cast as a central character, if not the central focus of the story's plot. By use of this literary diversion, the reader is intentionally mislead by focusing on the details of the patterns of her life and her overall guiding thought processes. For example, in Paragraph 1, we are shown the concept of Mrs. Hale's inherent instinct for "neatness", "her bread all ready

That Mrs. Wright had been abused to the point of desperation was finally and clearly understood by the two women who were the "peers" forming Mrs. Wright's "jury". The telling details center on the unfinished task of putting the sugar away, and in the untidy sewing of a small piece of the unfinished quilt. We can easily visualize what occurred: Mr. Wright, after taking from his wife the only thing she truly still cared for, caused her to become distraught to the point of total distraction and fury. This is evidenced by the fact that, although the majority of the stitching was very precise, that one piece was a total mess. It is not an accident that this very piece of stitchery covered the final resting place of the bird.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1548
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)