A Jury of Peers

Minnie Foster is a woman accused of killing her husband by members of her community. She and her husband lived along a long, dark road that was fairly remote from the rest of the society. Those of which, mainly gave reason to why they felt that Mrs. Foster was guilty of murdering her husband while he slept. According to statements provided to authorities or the lawyer about the relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, they provided assumptions of Mrs. Foster being isolated, lonely and unhappy.

Minnie Foster lived down a long road over a hill, isolated in Dickson County, where she lived away from the normality of life for twenty years with her husband, Mr. Wright. She had no neighbors near by and no telephone to communicate with people. According to Mrs. Hale explained that on one cold morning, the house had always appeared to look lonesome. She was quite isolated both physically and mentally which could give reason as to why others thought of her solitude would drive her insane.

Where Minnie lived became how she lived. She later purchased a canary from a man selling them around the county. Minnie never had guests to visit, being that Mr. Wright did not like guests. Mr. Wright always worked, as she stayed at home alone with her singing canary, baking and sewing quilts. Minnie being lonely also gave reason for insanity.

Minnie was very unhappy living as she did for twenty years. She didn't have a telephone in the house because Mr. Wright said, folks talk too much anyway, and he preferred peace and quiet. Whereas, twenty years before Minnie Foster communicated with people, liked to dress pretty and sing in the choir around town. Minnie had felt that her life had been taken away after marrying Mr. Wright. He had killed her dreams, her dignity, relationships, talent, along with the hope she had left, the canary. Minnie's husband never thought about how she felt or what she liked, neither what made her happy.

Someone had killed a man while he slept and the accusation was placed on mere observation of Minnie Foster's lifestyle. Mrs. Hale depicted that she looked queer. Furthermore, Mrs. Peters reviewed Minnie's clothes, bringing out the fact, "when you look good, you feel good." It became obvious that Minnie was unhappy, lonely and lived in isolation. Yet, it does not prove that she was guilty of murder.