Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles" explores the theme of silencing of marginalized groups such as women. The play is set in the early 1900s and centers around the investigation of a murder in a rural farmhouse. As the male investigators search for evidence, their female companions begin to uncover clues that the men overlook, leading them to solve the case, but decide not to tell the men. In order to portray the theme, Glaspell employs many literary techniques such as irony, dialogue, and symbolism. The main theme of "Trifles" is the idea that women are often belittled and ignored by men, even in situations where their contribution of valuable insights and knowledge would be helpful. This is exemplified by the irony in the way that the male investigators dismiss the women's observations as simply “trifles” (Glaspell 1200). For example, when Mrs. Hale notes that Mrs. Wright’s preserve jars had broken, the Sherriff responds “Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin’ about her preserves” (Glaspell 1200). From the beginning, the women understood Mrs. Wright on a deeper level than the men did. The women are …show more content…
There is a strong use of symbolism in “Trifles” to tell the story that is not told through dialogue. Mrs. Wright’s canary serves as a symbol of her sense of self. She was described as a woman who “wore a white dress with blue ribbons and stood up there in the choir and sang” (Glaspell 1206). Before she married John Wright, she was youthful and lively, signified by the singing canary. She clung to the bird and loved it because it was that small piece of her that was swallowed away by John Wright. Mrs. Hale even once said, “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” (Glaspell 1205). When John killed the bird, he killed that final, small piece of Minnie. That was his final