An analysis of the legal and sociological ramifications of acts of violence perpetrated by women in literature. Sophocles' “Antigone,” Susan Glaspell's modern theatrical drama “Trifles,” (later adapted into the short story, 'A Jury of Her Peers'), and Scott Turow's novel Presumed Innocent provide powerful examples of how women's acts of violence are either vilified or lionized in fiction. The author then examines how the law would characterize the women's actions.