How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
MRS. PETERS: (to the other woman) Oh, her fruit; it did freeze, (to the LAWYER) She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire'd go out and her jars would break. (29)
Did you catch this symbolism? The jars violently shattered not long after the Wright household was shattered by violence. Just as the jars were shattered by cold, the Wright's marriage was shattered by the coldness Mr. Wright showed toward his wife.
Quote #5
SHERIFF: Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves. (30)
The men take this to show that women are ridiculous and only worry about things that don't matter. But what if the fact that Mrs. Wright is worrying about her preserves while in jail shows just how unconcerned she is with the murder. What if in her heart of hearts she knows she did the right thing?
Quote #6
MRS. PETERS: No, it's strange. It must have been done awful crafty and still. They say it was such a—funny way to kill a man, rigging it all up like that.
MRS. HALE: That's just what Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in the house. He says that's what he can't understand. (67-68)
These lines are really important plot-wise. Notice how the play specifically points out that there was also a gun in the house. It's screaming at us to pay attention to the fact that the method of the murder is really important in this case.