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Masculinity In Susan Glaspell's Trifles

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Trifles by Susan Glaspell opens when the County Attorney says, “Come up to the fire, ladies (1156).” Obediently, the women follow even though they are not cold. This is the first instance where the role of masculinity is shown in the play. Both the men and women are present in the same house and working on the same case. However, the male characters’ want for strength and control influences many of the actions and conversations that are had. The short play exposes how the male characters’ masculinity affects the way the women act, are treated, view situations, and view their worth.
Firstly, the actions of the female characters are greatly influence by the male characters’ masculinity. Masculinity is revealed within the first piece of …show more content…

Along with this, Trifles also shows how the presents of men affects a woman’s behavior. Within the play, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale greatly talked about how Mrs. Wright changed after she was with John Wright. They reminisced about how Mrs. Wright used to wear lovely clothes and sing. When discussing Mrs. Wright’s singing, Mrs. Peters said, “He killed that, too” (Glaspell 1163). By this, Mrs. Peters meant that John Wright took away Mrs. Wrights joy. He controlled her and did not let her have her freedom. This downside can occur when males get too much power. Along with Mrs. Wright’s actions, Mrs. Peter and Mrs. Hale’s actions also showed how the male gender could overpower the woman gender. When disagreeing with her husband’s opinions on the case, Mrs. Peter spoke in a low tone so that the men would not here her. Remember, the men had no issues laughing at the women in front of their faces. Women fear disrespecting men. However, men do not fear disrespecting women. Masculinity also causes men to believe that they have control over women. The County Attorney says, “A sheriff’s wife is married to the law” (Glaspell 1164). By making this statement, the County Attorney is lowering Mrs. Peters worth a human. She is seen as being ones property rather than a person in an equal relationship. Trifles showed how masculinity could cause women’s behavior to change and worth to be

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