Trifles By Susan Glaspell Essay

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

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.

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