Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles . COUNTY ATTORNEY ( with the gallantry of a young politician ) : And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? What is the primary purpose of these stage directions?

The parenthetical stage direction “with the gallantry of a young politician” tells the actor how to deliver the County Attorney’s line. It suggests a courteous, polished tone rather than an onstage action or the character’s private thoughts. Therefore, the primary purpose is to indicate a character’s tone of voice.

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