This one-act play by Susan Glaspell is set in the kitchen of a recently murdered woman, Mrs. Wright. The sheriff and his wife Mrs. Peters investigate along with the farmer's wife Mrs. Hale. Mrs. Hale feels sympathy for Mrs. Wright and hints that the men are insensitive in their investigation. She helps hide evidence that could incriminate Mrs. Wright, showing her rebellious nature and resentment of the condescension shown by men. The play examines the isolation and oppression faced by women at that time through the perspectives of the female characters.

1. TRIFLES
One act play
by
Susan Glaspell

2. HENRY PETERS a.k.a Sheriff
 Husband of Mrs. Peters
“They are followed by the two women—the Sheriff’s wife first..”
 Misogynist
- Teases the women about their interest in Mrs. Wright’s quilt
“They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it!”(The men laugh; the women look abashed.)
- Insensitive towards women
“Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves”

3. MRS. HALE
 Wife of the farmer, Louis Hale
 Heavier build than Mrs. Peters
“Mrs. Hale is larger and would ordinarily be called more comfortable looking”
 Feels sorry for Mrs. Wright
“Oh I wish I’d come over here once in a while! That was a crime! That was a crime! Who’s going to
punish that?”

4. MRS. HALE
Someone who shouldn’t be trifled with
 Resents the condescension shown to her by the men in
general
“I know how things can be—for women. I tell you, it's queer,
Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We
all go through the same things—it's all just a different kind
the same thing”

5. MRS. HALE
 Rebellious
- Helps hiding the dead bird that could have been a
prove (a motive) of Mrs. Wright murdering her
“Maybe they would,— maybe they wouldn’t”
- Hides the evidence using a play of words
“we call it— knot it, Mr. Henderson”

6.  It's sort of ironic, right? In the world of the play, Mrs. Peters is seen as "Married to the
law;" she's only an extension of her husband (147). But when we analyze the play on a
larger level, we see that the Sheriff was probably only included so his wife's actions pack
more of a wallop. To readers and audience members, the only thing that gives
 By doing this, Mrs. Hale is saying to the men, "We as women defy your laws. We're mad
as hell, and we aren't going to take it anymore." Mr. Peters a reason to exist is Mrs.
Peters
 Instead, Mrs. Hale is saying that she's the one who should be punished for ignoring
another woman in need just because that woman's house was gloom-central
 notice how every time the County Attorney tries to pin the bad housekeeper label on
Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Hale finds a way to undercut it and to put the blame on men