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Trifles By Susan Glaspell Essay

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Is there truth behind “gender roles”? Susan Glaspell's “Trifles” indirectly addresses the stereotype and expectation behind gender roles. Glaspell’s story revolves around the murder of John Wright, and the tense relationship he had with his wife, Minnie. The story is set up and supported by the use of symbols, irony, as well as a descriptive setting. Throughout the short story many small details are revealed that ultimately lead to the underlying theme focused on the expected roles of women. The greatest message reflected on in “Trifles” is that there is an obvious stereotypical expectation that women are held to. Symbols are a skillful literary device that can be used to elevate a piece of writing. According to Symbols In Life and Art, in …show more content…

Glaspell’s obvious use of symbols provides the reader with a better understanding; from her direct writing, which often holds an underlying meaning. There are many symbols throughout Glaspell’s writing: the dead bird, the knotted pattern, the broken fruit jars, however, the first symbol can be found in the title, “Trifles”. The story’s definition of Trifles is things that are seemingly unimportant: trifles not only symbolizes the story's male characters perception, but it also foreshadows the entire story. In an interaction between the women, when Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters comment on Minnie Wright's fruit, another symbol, the male characters conveniently cast it off as unimportant. In regards to the women's comment, Sheriff Peters scoffs, “Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin’ about her preserves.” (Glaspell 1200). Minnie Wright’s canned fruits were one of the first symbols mentioned in the story, as well as the only symbol the men seemed to actively take notice of. …show more content…

It is obvious that there is an intentional decision behind each word Glaspell uses, which explains why many of the symbols as well as other key components are ironic. Although the male characters do not see the irony it is apparent to the women as well as the reader. There is irony in the women seeing a deeper meaning behind the things they cast off: the dead bird, the knotted pattern, the broken fruit jars. There is irony behind the reader knowing the title and being able to predict what it may intel. Not only have the women seen things differently than the men, they also connect the pieces: the birds snapped neck, the aggressive pattern changes in the quilt. The irony is that not only do the men not see what is true, they also aren't able to solve it, a role they are expected of, instead the women

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One instance of symbolism in Trifles is the connection between Mrs. Wright and the bird. The imprisonment of the bird in the birdcage symbolizes Minnie Wright's imprisonment in her marriage and the oppression of her freedom, and the bird's death represents Minnie losing her only source of companionship. Additionally, In "Lamb to the Slaughter," an instance of symbolism would be between Mary Maloney and the lamb itself. Lambs are considered innocent, docile animals

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Moreover, Glaspell may have tried to utilize the damaged cage door and the dead bird, to represent how hard it would have been for a woman like Ms.Wright to break free, from their husbands and start their own lives without societal norms pushing them down. Mrs. Hale found the bird, lying dead in the box, and Mrs. Peters said "Somebody wrung its neck. " The damaged cage door represents how Mr. Wright forcefully abused the remaining piece of Mrs. Wright’s former self. The dead bird shows how if she or any woman in the same situation tries to leave during this time, adapting to the outside world becomes difficult due to the unfair treatment of women in society, and their cries for freedom or equality share the same fate as the dead bird. Using the cage, damaged cage door, and the dead bird, Glaspell’s message may be that the unfair treatment of women in terms of equality, in comparison to men, leads to an extensive consequence, that diminishes their ability to go ahead in society and remain

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At first glance, “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell may seem like an ordinary murder mystery story. However, the theme of the short story goes well beyond mere entertainment. The story focuses on two women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, as they wait for their husbands during a police investigation of the murder of Mrs. Wright’s husband. As the men recount the details of that day and search the house for evidence, the two women stumble upon the solution to the murder using simple everyday clues they find lying around the kitchen and living room. In this story, Glaspell develops an underlying theme surrounding gender roles, specifically the subjugation of women and male obliviousness to women.

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Wright’s dominance and the chokehold of male superiority over women in society, described by Mrs. Hales, “Look at it! Its neck—look at its neck! It’s all—other side to” (Glaspell 607). His intrusion into the cage and killing of the bird symbolizes the control of Minnie’s character and the destruction of who she truly once was; “No, Wright wouldn’t like the bird,” she said after that— “a thing that sang. She used to sing.

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All throughout the story, Minnie Foster was described as a very lively woman with big hopes and dreams before her marriage to Mr. Wright. Glaspell states, “She-come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself. Real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and-fluttery. How-she-did-change” (555). This description of Minnie Foster is crucial to understanding the symbol of the canary to the main theme, which is connections.

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The play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell is largely based on stereotypes. The most prevalent one explores the difference between gender roles. Glaspell exerts the repression of women in the 1900s. During that time, women were highly looked down upon by men, and were only seen as the housekeepers and child bearers. This example is displayed throughout the play with the men, however, the women in this play prove that the stereotypes of gender roles held against them are completely wrong, which is shown through the characters, set design, and symbolism.

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