Essay On Trifles By Susan Glaspell

In Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles, feminism is a prevalent concept. The need for feminism is portrayed subtly through the relationships between men and women throughout the play. Glaspell displays feminism in Trifles through characterization and comments made by characters. The concept of feminism in the play is profoundly relevant especially when trying to determine the justification for Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters in hiding evidence against Minnie Foster; without the need for equality and respect, the women would have no valid reason to withhold evidence from the men. Glaspell’s depiction of the men in Trifles clearly illustrates the need for equality between the two sexes. She characterizes the men as benevolent sexists. They see the women as dependent upon them, but in all actuality, the men are the ones that are dependent upon the women. They are dependent on the women for many everyday necessities, such as cooking and cleaning, but in terms of the play, Glaspell makes it known that the men are dependent upon the women in

Instead, throughout the entire play, there is inequality between the feelings of men and women; by this, male superiority is shown. The men, especially the towns County Attorney, look down on Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters as if they are inferior and their insight is irrelevant, almost as if the women are useless when trying to do anything besides be a homemaker; and even then, they aren't good for much. By keeping the motive they discover to themselves, the women are making a bold statement: their need for equality is more important then the mens’ need to find out why Minnie killed her husband. If not for the inequality between men and woman, and the constant banishment from everyday activities eventually leading to drive Minnie off of the edge, the murder may not have ever