Here's why the author ends the story before the trial:
* Focus on the Women's Perspective: The play primarily focuses on the female characters – Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. The author wants to highlight their observations, emotions, and the subtle evidence they find about Mrs. Wright's life and possible motivations. The trial itself would shift the focus to legal proceedings and away from this intimate, female-centric exploration.
* Leaving Room for Interpretation: Ending before the trial creates a sense of ambiguity and leaves the audience to contemplate the true circumstances of the crime and Mrs. Wright's guilt or innocence. There's no definitive answer, prompting the reader to draw their own conclusions.
* Highlighting Societal Double Standards: The play implicitly criticizes the way society views women and their roles. By ending before the trial, the author highlights the limitations placed on women and their ability to be heard and understood. The play suggests that the women might be better equipped to understand Mrs. Wright's situation than the male investigators.
* Creating Dramatic Tension: Leaving the trial unresolved keeps the audience engaged and wondering about the final outcome. It also emphasizes the suspense and intrigue surrounding the case.
In essence, ending the play before the trial allows the author to explore the complexities of the case, the characters' perspectives, and societal implications in a nuanced and thought-provoking way, leaving the audience to ponder the unanswered questions.