Theme Of Trifles By Susan Glaspell

Theme Of Trifles By Susan Glaspell
Susan Glaspell's Trifles
Glaspell's play sets up its subjects in its opening minutes. The setting lures you into the play, the opening scene of John and Minnie Wright's
abandoned farmhouse. A chaotic kitchen, the kitchen is in disarray with unwashed dishes, a loaf of uncooked bread, and a dirty towel on the table. You
can obviously tell someone left in a hurry or was taken unexpectedly out of the blue. The men repeatedly dismiss things as beneath their notice if they
are things such as the canning jars of fruit that are, in their opinions, women's concerns. Susan Glaspell's play puts major emphasize on the men and
how they never recognize that they have forced the women to be concerned about ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Sheriff and the County Attorney appear to have a tainted perspective of the ladies and their significance to society. They kind of drive the ladies
aside as though they do their investigation. Glaspell's play, typical stereotype where the women are meant to remain in the kitchen and do things the
men instruct them to.
Glaspell, was comparatively radical by indicating how these men were covering their spouses, similarly as Mr. Wright did. Mrs. support of Minnie is
an early case of the compassion the ladies feel for each other, which brings about dependability. Mrs. Hale knows that it is so hard to run a farmhouse,
yet Mr. Henderson does not help. Further, while Mr. Henderson rejects ladies' things as insignificant, despite everything he feels the privilege and the
need to judge women in their performance. Mrs. Hale sees the treachery of this (probable having encountered it herself), thus she safeguards Minnie
against, Mr. Henderson' judgment.
Glaspell shows how the women are united by their common experiences and loyal to each other because the men do not even try to sympathize with
them. Mrs. Hale doesn't know whether Minnie had a bird, yet recollects that she used to sing delightfully. The women try to figure out what happened
to the bird and wonder mutually what happened to the bird from the empty cage, they all come up with their own theories. The ladies see that the that
the cage is
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Trifles By Susan Glaspell Analysis
Trifles by Susan Glaspell is a tragic mysterious drama that has to deal with a murderous wife, and a couple of friends who cover up her tracks.
Throughout the story Glaspell gives clues to the reader to help him or her figure out what will happen in the end. Glaspell Wrote Trifles in 1916,
according to the year it is safe to assume that this mysterious short story was placed in a time around the 1910's setting. The clues she leaves, such as the
quilting square, the bird, the reflections in the setting helps the reader imagine what is really going on in the background.
First, the setting of this short story takes place in the 1910's, at an "abandoned farmhouse" where Mr. and Mrs. Wright live.
The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Second, Mrs. Wright enjoyed quilting, while Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale began looking at her quilting squares that Minnie Wright had recently
been working on, and they found something odd with the quilt. Mrs. Hale said, "... this is the one she was working on, and look at the sewing!
All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It's all over the place!" (Glaspell 750). The stitching of the quilt was precise, and now it
seems as if she did it nervously, as if she didn't know what she was doing. The men came down stairs, the county attorney said, "Well ladies, have you
decided whether she was going to quilt it or know it?" Mrs. Peters replies, "We think she was going to–knot it" (Glaspell 753). This quote also has a
deeper meaning... John Wright was murdered by having a rope tied around his neck while he slept.
"'Who did this, Mrs Wright?' said Harry. He said it business–like–and she stopped pleatin' of her apron. 'I don't know', she says. 'You don't know?' says
Harry. 'No', says she. 'Weren't you sleepin' in the bed with him?' says Harry. 'Yes', says she, 'but I was on the inside'. 'Somebody slipped a rope
round his neck and strangled him and you didn't wake up?' says Harry. 'I didn't wake up', she said after him. We must 'a looked as if we didn't see
how that could be, for after a minute she said, 'I sleep sound'" (Glaspell 746). Therefore, knotting with the quilt is a significant clue! The women in this
time period

Trifles By Susan Glaspell Essay
The play "Trifles," written by Susan Glaspell in 1916, is about a woman that is being charged with the murder of her husband. During the play,
George Henderson (County Attorney) and Henry Peters (Sheriff) search Mr. Wright's house for any evidence that will uphold in court against
Mrs. Wright. The irony is that Mrs. Peters (the Sheriffs wife) and Mrs. Hale (Mrs. Wright's neighbor) are the ones that discover the evidence to put
Mrs. Wright in jail. The evidence that the ladies find are also major items of symbolism throughout the story. The first clue that the ladies find is
the bird cage with no bird inside. The bird cage represents how Mrs. Wright lived her life. Her husband trapped her inside the house, the same way
one would trap a bird in a cage. She was kept from the outside world, and all she had to converse with was her husband since they didn't have any kids.
The hinge to the door of the cage was also broken "as if someone was rough with it," Mrs. Hale said (Glaspell 1313). The broken hinge may also
represent her marriage with Mr. Wright and how she is breaking free from being trapped inside the house by Mr. Wright.
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The bird, of course, represents Mrs. Wright. The species of the bird was a canary, which are known for their beautiful singing. Mrs. Hale tells Mrs.
Peters that Mrs. Wright used to sing when she was younger, and when questioned if Mrs. Wright had a bird she said "No, Wright wouldn't like the bird
– a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too (Glaspell 1312)." She also says that Mrs. Wright was a lot like a bird, "...real sweet and pretty,
but kind of timid and – fluttery (Glaspell 1312)." They then pointed out that the cause of death of the bird was by strangulation and a broken neck,
which leads to our next symbolic meaning, Mr. Wright's

Trifles is a play written by Susan Glaspell that emphasizes the difference in gender roles in the late 19th century. A trifle, according to
Merriam–Webster Dictionary, is something that does not have much value or importance. In this play, women are one of the many "objects" that are
considered trifles, which brings up the topic of gender equality. Glaspell provides perspective on how women were treated differently, even from just
the simple names of the characters. The women in this play are not identified with first names, which already proves they are ranked lower in society.
Each woman must be identified with her husband, and not as her own person. Gender inequality has been, and still remains, a major controversial topic
in society, just no longer to the extent as shown in this play. In Trifles, women's social status is notably recognized to be less than men during this time
period, simply by the way they are treated, and the snarky comments the men make to each other throughout the play. During the late 19th century,
women are considered to be domestic workers, and nothing more, especially anything involving knowledge or labor outside of the house. At one scene
in the play, Mrs. Wright is in... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They understand their abilities and intelligence are not as highly respected and that men will never realize how capable they actually are. In the play,
while the Wright's house is being inspected, Mrs. Hale makes the remark, "I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and
criticizing" (Glaspell 663). Mrs. Peters then responds, "Of course it's no more than their duty" (Glaspell 663). This conversation between Mrs. Peters
and Mrs. Hale provides an understanding of how they know men look down on them, and what they do. Mrs Peter's sarcastic comment makes the point
that men know they are superior to women, and most likely abuse that

Susan Glaspell 's ' Trifles '
Susan Glaspell's story "Trifles" is based on a true story many decades ago when women were treated as second class citizens. This story focuses on
two women in the shadows of men who see their sex as superior and in doing so, miss the most important parts of their investigation. Glaspell uses
space to show the bond that is slowly created between these two women that allow them to justify not reporting the evidence to the sexist males who
essentially drop the ball because of their lack of empathy.
From the beginning to the end of the story, Glaspell showed the differences between men and women at that time. How they were viewed, their roles
in society, and their roles in this story only strengthen those stereotypes. The timid female characters, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale "The women have
come in slowly and stand close together near the door" (Gaspell 1281), clearly showing a reluctance to enter a widow's empty home. The men,
however, "go at once to the stove" (Glaspell 1281), and start discussing what happened the previous day. The different movements of the characters
show the difference in attitudes between the men, who just walk right into an empty house they now know belongs to a woman. The women on the
other hand, hesitate to infringe upon another women's privacy. The men believe they have a right to enter her home since no man lives there anymore,
showing their lack of respect for the widow.
Glaspell continues to use a space between the characters throughout the story to

Dating back to early civilization, women's lives were to do as they are told. In the one–act play, Trifles written by Susan Glaspell, it is often viewed as
an example of early feminist drama. In this murder play, Mrs. Peters, wife of the sheriff and Mrs. Hale, wife of a neighboring farmer, are asked by
the victim's wife, Mrs. Wright (Minnie Fosters) to take her back a few items. As the women gather items per her request they discover evidence
tracing back to Mrs. Wright. Since they are able to sympathize with the victims wife, and their understanding of her possible motives lead them to
discover the murderer of John Wright. The men, George Henderson, country attorney and Henry Peters, the sheriff fail to realize the reality of this
murder,... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In the one–act play, Trifles written bySusan Glaspell, it is often viewed as an example of early feminist drama. In this murder play, Mrs. Peters, wife
of the sheriff and Mrs. Hale, wife of a neighboring farmer, are asked by the victim's wife, Mrs. Wright (Minnie Fosters) to take her back a few
items. As the women gather items per her request they discover evidence tracing back to Mrs. Wright. Since they are able to sympathize with the
victims wife, and their understanding of her possible motives lead them to discover the murderer of John Wright. The men, George Henderson,
country attorney and Henry Peters, the sheriff fail to realize the reality of this murder, due to their lack of emotion and insensitivity of this case. Early
feminism existed, and the women characters of this play relate to the "bird trapped" lives of women lives in early civilization. As you read the play, you
discover that they are left with a hard decision, whether to tell authorities the evidence they found against the victims wife, or to keep it to amongst
themselves. Their choice raises questions about solidarity among women, the meaning of justice, and the role of women in society as a source of

Repression of Women "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell is situated in 1916 and is a one act play which incorporates essential components of what the
women's rights movement was about. After moving on from Iowa's Drake University in 1899, Glaspell commenced her writing vocation of
composing short stories and books. The play from Glaspell recounts the story of a homicide mystery involving the married couple of Mrs. Wright
(Minnie) and her spouse, the murder victim, John Wright; this story also incorporates the outlook of society towards women being viewed as beneath
men. "Trifles" demonstrates the unfair mentality regularly acknowledged among men towards women in 1916. In addition, it showcases the big role
comradery plays for women in becoming equal represented ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The county attorney does not give a second thought about how John may have treated his wife. Instead, he's focusing on Mr. Hale's testimony
regarding the alleged "scared" look on John's face. The men's bias is often and openly expressed to the women verbally. In accordance to the
dialog of the play, the men show they don't consider what women say vital or pertinent. The Sheriff fires back, identifying with his partners, "Well,
can you beat the woman! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves." (Glaspell 1412). The men agree in general about the sheriff's remark.
Mr. Hale comes along and says, "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles." (Glaspell 1412). The dialog of the play demonstrates the
obliviousness and general absence of appreciation given to women's comments. Even the sheriff addresses his wife openly as if a woman's role in the
home was insignificant. The prejudice from the men is evident and once a reader or audience starts inquiring about how the men treat women, a
pattern is seen regarding the men's standards. The court attorney kicks his foot against the pots and pans below the sink in the wake of discovering no
clean towels, telling the ladies "Not

Theonna Falu
11/03/2015
Enc1102
Dr. Campbell
Between December 1st and 2nd 1900, John Hossack (a farmer from Warren County, Iowa) was murdered with an ax by his wife while in bed.
Inspired by the true story of Margaret Hossack, an Indianola, Iowa farm wife who was charged with the murder of her husband John. One of the
reporters, Susan Glaspell, decided to write a literary version of this investigation and "Trifles" came to be. Susan Glaspell is a feminist writer from
Davenport, Iowa who started off writing for a newspaper called Des Moines Daily News. Later on her literary career she left the journalism industry
and founded a theatrical organization called 'Provincetown Players' on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In Trifles, Glaspell covers issues regarding female
oppression and patriarchal domination. Susan Glaspell's one–act play still exists as a fascinating hybrid of murder mystery and social commentary on
the oppression of women. When Margaret Hossack was charged with the murder of her sixty year old husband John, the man she had been married
to for thirty three years, Indianola, Iowa. Killed by two blows to his head with an ax, John Hossack was thought to be a cold mannered and difficult
man to be married to, but he didn't deserve his death. In a cultural that denied women the right to vote or the ability to serve on juries, the community
in which the Hossacks resided was not terribly different from the rest of the country. A women's role was defined as more domestic than

"Trifles" is a one act play written by Susan Glaspell in 1916, which was first performed on August 8th by the Provincetown Players in Provincetown,
Massachusetts at the Wharf Theater. The author, Susan Glaspell, was born on July 1, 1876 in Davenport, Iowa. Over her lifetime she had become
proficient in many different professions: Playwright, Actress, Novelist, and Journalist. For her works, she won an American Pulitzer Prize in 1931. The
Provincetown Players was founded by Susan Glaspell and her husband, George Cram Cook. This was the first modern American theater company.
Most of her works centered on current issues at the time such at gender roles between males and females. Susan Glaspell was not the typical
woman of her time, she decided to go to school and get herself an education and find herself a her own career instead of waiting around for a husband.
In 1899, Glaspell graduated from Drake University in Iowa and found herself a job as a journalist for the Des Monies Daily newspaper. The play
Trifles was based upon a story that Glaspell reported on when she was a journalist.
The play Trifles takes place in a rural area and centers around a woman, Mrs. Wright, who has been accused of killing her husband by strangling him.
The act starts off in Mr. and Mrs. Wright's home on a cold, winter morning the day after Mr. Wright's body was discovered by the neighbor; the county
attorney, the sheriff and his wife and the neighboring farmer and his wife are all inside the

Analysis Of Trifles By Susan Glaspell
The play "Trifles" written by Susan Glaspell is about John Wright who was murdered. When the play begins the county attorney, sheriff, and Mr.
Hale are all at Mr. Wright's home to search for evidence for who murdered him. The two women that are in the poem are Mrs. Peters who is the
sheriff's wife, and Mr. Hale's wife, Mrs. Hale. Minnie Wright is the suspect in Mr. Wright's case, but they are searching for answers to know exactly
what happened. While the men are trying to solve the crime their wives sit in the kitchen discussing Minnie Wright and the peculiar things in her
kitchen. Glaspell uses many literary techniques to express the theme of her play by using the setting, symbolism, and tone to display gender roles, and
the feeling of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The birdcage was found in the kitchen, and Minnie felt trapped in the kitchen like a bird never being able to escape unless you owner lets you out.
The quilt that Mrs. Hale and Mrs Peters were discussing with the perfect sewing, and then the stitching going every which way is a symbol of
Minnie finally losing her mind. Minnie was like the quilt she was the perfect description of a wife she did everything she was supposed to do until
she finally couldn't take her own life anymore. Minnie eventually lost her mind, and snapped killing her husband just to break free. When the two
women find the bird they discover it had a broken neck, Mrs. Hale suspects that it was Mr. Wright who snapped its neck because of his cold nature.
This symbolizes that Mr. Wright was probably abusive to Minnie, and snapping a bird's neck is probably just one of the ways to show his abusive
nature. The birdcage door was also broken, this was significant in the story, because it symbolized Minnie finally being free when Mr. Wright died.
Minnie was no longer trapped inside the prison that Mr. Wright created for her, and although going back to a different prison had felt more free than
she had ever had. The tone of the play was the feeling of isolation. The house that the Mr. and Mrs. Wright lived in was away from the road away from
everything else. The placement of the house is important, because

Trifles By Susan Glaspell Symbols
Susan Glaspell's "Trifles" is a short drama that plays out the events of a murder mystery concerning the death of John Wright. Two women, Mrs. Hale
and Mrs. Peter, along with a Sheriff and County Attorney inspect the cold empty farmhouse of the now deceased John Wright for any clues or evidence
that can help them discover who the murder is. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters straighten out and organizes Mrs. Wright's belongings in the kitchen only to
discover evidence that implies Mrs. Wright murdered her husband. Although this play only contains one act, Glaspell manages to pack various symbols
that touch on themes such as male oppression and drive the plot to its climax, Mrs. Hale's and Mrs. Peters' epiphany about Mrs. Wright. Various
symbols throughout ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It is still uncertain whether or not Mrs. Wright is the actual murder of her husband. Assuming that she is, many hidden meanings and themes become
clearer to the reader. It's ironic how the women found more evidence than the men who arrogantly take pride in their jobs as investigators. Referring to
the women's findings as simply "trifles", they fail to see the usefulness of a woman's perspective on who or why someone might have killed Mr. Wright.
Drawing a distinct line of difference in perspective shows how disconnected gender relations. She wrote this murder mystery to offer the two
perspectives of men and women to the reader in order to make them realize what they seem to be unaware of in their day to day

In Trifles, Susan Glaspell combines the concepts of sentimentality and Modernism into a perfectly blended masterpiece that shows the importance of
both the masculine Modernist and the feminine sentimental perspectives. Sentimentality and femininity are shown to be more important than they are
assumed to be. They act as a direct dichotomy with Modernist literature, a field dominated by men that emphasizes minimalism and reveals reality to be
harsh and unforgiving. The use of Modernism and sentimentality together highlights the gap between the masculine and feminine. These dichotomies
are essential to Trifles because they convey the importance of a dual perspective approach. The combination of Modernism and sentimentality is shown
through the setting, the use of trifles as evidence, and the characterizations of men and women.... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They persist in avoiding the murder mystery until they find the dead canary, at which point the evidence is too strong to ignore. Due to this discovery,
they build a bond of female solidarity between themselves and the absent Mrs. Wright. This is an act of sentimentality because it arose out of sympathy
for Minnie's plight with her late–husband. The women express sympathy for the unfortunate circumstances of her marriage, Mrs. Peters when she
describes knowing the pain of losing her cat as a child and Mrs. Hale when she says: "I know how things can be–for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs.
Peters. We live so close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things–it's all just a different kind of the same thing" (Glaspell 84).
This acknowledgement of the harsh reality of women's lives in the domestic sphere is the women's acceptance of the Modernist concepts into their
lives, but it does not negate the sympathy they feel for each other, it strengthens

Symbolism In Trifles By Susan Glaspell
The short story "Trifles" by the author Susan Glaspell, she writes about a woman who may or may not have murdered her husband because she felt
as though he was to blame for her boring life. The women in the play, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, are the ones solving the murder, while the men, the
county attorney and sheriff, and are questioning things also trying to figure things out. In this story there was a lot of symbolism used as clues to
show Mrs. Wright way of knowing that only the women she knew may be the only ones to figure out. The objects that were used as well known
symbols were Mrs. Wright's apron, the quilt, and bird. The first example of symbolism seen in the play is that Mrs. Wright was going to knot the quilt .
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
When the investigators were going through the kitchen looking for evidence they came across Mrs. Wright's food that had frozen and gone bad.
Later when the women were alone in the kitchen Mrs. Hale noticed that there was one jar of cherries that were still good. The single jar of cherries
that was not broken, may symbolize the one and only remaining clue/ secret, the motive to complete the investigators case. The jar represents Mrs.
Wright and how she stayed on the shelf, alone and befriended on the farm, until the darkness of her marriage, her life in general, fell apart. This
shows that Mrs. Wright's secrets were out from all the pressure. She could no longer take living with Mr. Wright because she was too lonely and sad.
The only people who came to understand this were the other women because of the female bond that most women have. The similarities between
"Trifles" and "Legally Blonde" underline the continuity in women's issues: the importance of sisterhood, the need to provide options for the
disadvantaged or abused women, and the destructive potential of the devaluation of women by men (Marsh 3). A relationship that a woman has with
another woman is important so that the fact that Mrs. Wright didn't just tell the others is shocking, that Elle was defending Mrs. Windham is the right
thing only if she really is innocent. Mrs. Wright's crime was not only that she killed a man in this case her

Trifles Susan Glaspell
Trifles by Susan Glaspell This compelling play is about the investigation at the farmhouse of John and Minnie Wright after his murder. The sheriff,
county attorney, and neighbor discuss the evidence and look at the crime scenes to try and discover the murderer and motive. The sheriff and
neighbor's wives remain in the kitchen where through looking at Mrs. Wright's sewing basket and cupboards they discover the truth of the crime. The
setting is a small rural farmhouse that appears isolated from its neighbors. The isolation is a theme of the story. The broken birdcage, quilt, bread, and
cherry preserves are all important images within the play for understanding Mrs. Wright and her life. Mrs. Wright, although absent from the play,
becomes a

Trifles by Susan Glaspell Essay
Susan Glaspell's most memorable one–act play, Trifles (1916) was based on murder trial case that happened in the 1900's. Glaspell worked as a
reporter, where she appointed a report of a murder case. It was about a farmer, John Hossack who was killed while he was asleep in bed one night.
His wife claimed that she was asleep next to him when the attack occurred. No one believed in her statement, she was arrested and was charged on
first degree murder. In Trifles, the play takes place at an abandon house at a farm where John Wright and his wife, Minnie Wright lived. John was
killed with a rope around his neck while his wife was asleep. The neighbor, county attorney and sheriff came to the crime scene for investigation. Along
with them ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The women empower themselves through silence, particularly in the kitchen communicating and reflecting upon things around them in the limited
space they were given. The men dismiss the kitchen finding nothing that is relevant to the murder case. The men keep crisscrossing through the
kitchen, ignoring and not realizing they could find the vital evidence through trivial details. Even though they were having difficulty in finding clues
that lead to the murder. While the women were alone looking through Minnie's kitchen they found the most valuable evidence the "missing piece to
men's puzzle" (Holstein 283). Mrs. Hale found the dead bird strangled in the sewing box telling "Mrs. Peters–look at it! Its neck! Look at its neck!"
(782). Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters recognize the bird was strangled brutally "their eyes meet. A look of growing comprehension, of horror" (Glaspell
782). Both of them realized the bird was killed the same way as Mr. Wright with the rope around their neck. The strangled bird represents Minnie
Foster how her freedom and joy was strangled to death. When the men came in the kitchen, the county attorney noticed the bird cage, wondering if the
bird flew away, but Mrs. Hale lied and said "we think the– cat got it" ( Glaspell 782). The county attorney seek only visible evidence for murder he was
wasn't thinking critically what it may mean. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters covered the evidence keeping it between themselves for their own knowledge.
They

Susan Glaspell Thesis
Rosie Long
Professor Tanya Franklin
English Composition II
5 December 2017
Intro...Thesis...potential synopsis of stories
Susan Glaspell was born in 1882 in the small town of Davenport, Iowa. After she graduated from Drake University, she worked as a journalist for
Des Moines Daily News. She stopped working in the newspaper industry when her stories began to appear in magazines such as The Ladies Home
Journal. In 1915 Glaspell met a man named George Cook, who was a stage director, and together they established The Provincetown Players, which
was a troupe of aspiring actors, directors, and writers. Many of Glaspell's works are very feminist, and deal with the roles she felt women were forced
to play in society, along with the relationships between men and women. "The Pulitzer Prize–winning fiction writer and playwright Susan Keating
Glaspell voiced women's need to be true to their inner yearnings." (Snodgrass) Glaspell wrote the play Trifles for the Provincetown Players in just ten
days, and it lives on as one of her masterpieces. Glaspell was inspired to write the play while working as a journalist and covering a murder
investigation. Trifles is believed to be so compelling not only because it is a crime drama that leaves the audience wanting more, it also gives insight
on how each gender is perceived. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
She is known for using her stories to depict smart and sensitive women's lives."Kate Chopin... focused on women as characters; she revealed the
startling discrepancies between them and the men in their lives...and...women's changing identity as they sought social and financial independence and
decreased dependence on men." (Werlock) In The Story of an Hour, Chopin expresses her discontent with how women were treated in marriages, which
is shown when the protagonist feels immense relief after the sudden death of her

Trifles, written by Susan Glaspell, presents numerous overarching themes thoughout the course of the play, including duty, justice, loneliness, revenge,
empathy, identity, and personal transformation. Glaspell also penned this, her first play, with numerous symbols including the canary, the quilt, the
rocking chair, the canned fruit, and the apron to fuel her themes. Among a plethora of themes and symbols, Glaspell focuses her writing on one
prominent theme and one protuberant symbol that adds abundant depth to both her storyline and its characters. Glaspell masterfully develops the
theme of patriarchal dominance and pairs it with the powerful symbol provided by the baffling empty birdcage. Patriarchal dominance plays a pivotal
role when the audience is introduced to three male... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Most of their dialogue exemplifies this belief, including Hale's comment when he is recounting his visit on the morning of the murder saying, "I said
to Harry that I didn't know as to what his wife wanted made much difference to John." (Glaspell). Correspondingly, the County Attorney feigns
chivalry when he rushes past the women to be the first to feel the warmth of the fire and later invites the ladies to join the egocentric men by the
heat. When the men go upstairs to investigate, Glaspell draws the audience to an empty birdcage. Immediately, it is evident that this framework of
bent metal symbolizes the suppressed life of Mrs. Wright. Once a vivacious young woman, she has been transformed into an object to be used and
put aside by her tyrannical husband. All her opinions, hopes, and desires are imprisoned, caged like an inconsequential animal. Similar to the canary,
Minnie's freedom, lively spirit, and song were wrung from her life. Her friend, Mrs. Hale, recounts the once beautiful woman who wore a delicate
white dress and

"We all go through the same things– it's all just a different kind of the same thing" (561) is a line spoken in Susan Glaspell's play, Trifles. Writers look
at the world around them and envision the way it should be. They take bits and pieces of their life's landscape, add a liberal dose of surreal ideology
and finally toss in human oppressions. To that end, the writer hopes to create a memorable character that can touch the human soul for eternity. Susan
Glaspell, a writer in the early twentieth century, lived during a time when women were only briefly part of the social role and were mainly given the
reproductive role which confined them to raising children and taking care of their households and husbands – husbands, always first and foremost
(Mustazza 491)). From this oppressive landscape, the character of Mrs. Wright is born in Glaspell's 1916 play Trifles. This character will be analyzed
using details, such as character interactions, the title, setting, and numerous symbols to understand Mrs. Wright's transformation from a vibrant
beautiful young woman into a lonely, unhappy, isolated, abused and mentally fractured murderer. Glaspell supplies numerous subtle clues and hints
through the interactions between the women and men in the play. The most obvious is Mrs. Wright's name. Glaspell intends a "Pun on the surname
marking her [Mrs. Wright 's] lack of 'rights, ' and implying her 'right ' to free herself against the societally sanctioned 'right ' of her husband

Analysis Of Trifles By Susan Glaspell
Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, females were often seen as inferior to men. The importance of females rest in their duties as a housewife.
In "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell, Glaspell describes how this degrading message can both hurt women and make them feel trapped in their marriage.
Minnie Wright is John Wright's husband, an uptight, quiet, and stoic farmer who is murdered. The murderer remains a mystery as the men investigate
the bedroom, the barn, and living room while Mrs. Hale, the neighbor of the Wright family, and Mrs. Peters, the wife of the sheriff gather things to
take to Minnie who is in the county jail as a suspect. The two women examine the fruit preserves, the quilting, and the box with the dead canary and
realize both the criminal and her motives. Glaspell creates a feminine union between the female characters that both creates sympathy for Minnie
Wright and a greater understanding of the struggles of early 20th century women. The symbols of the canary and the quilt in "Trifles" create a dramatic
irony between the female jury and the audience where only they can understand the feelings of an imbalance of order and chaos and losing of one's
identity.
The pieces of quilt Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters find in Minnie Wright's basket show Minnie's desire for a comforting home while also not feeling alone
or crazy. The two women find the quilt pieces which reveal a log cabin pattern. Mrs. Hale is intrigued by the pretty pattern and wonders if Minnie

Trifles is a contemporary drama by Susan Glaspell. The drama is about a murder that has been committed and the wives of the sheriff and farmer,
who are named Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale. While the men are searching the house, the women are in the kitchen looking at what Mrs. Wright has been
doing and eventually find out who killed John Wright. The men are looking at the women like they are crazy and don't take the women seriously.
Symbolism plays an important part in this story, especially concerning gender roles. In Trifles, many symbols represent the negative attitude that men
have toward women during this age, such as the dirty towels, the birdcage, and the dead bird. First of all, the dirty towels are a symbol because of
what the men say about them. The Country Attorney says, "Dirty Towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" (Glaspell 1283). What
the attorney is implying is that Mrs. Wright isn't the cleanest person in the world, and that she isn't one to clean. That is why she has her kitchen
towels dirty. He doesn't really understand the fact that Mr. Wright might have fault into why the towels are dirty, so he blames the woman of the
household. Mrs. Hale backs the fact that "Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men's hands aren't always as clean as they might be," (Glaspell ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Wright's liveliness and passion towards music. Birds are always singing, and they are just happy animals in general. Mrs. Wright had that same attitude
before she was married. According to Mrs. Peters, "Somebody–wrung–its–neck," (Glaspell 1288). They think that Mr. Wright might have killed the
bird and snapped its neck. It was obvious Mrs. Wright loved the bird since she had it in a red box and was about to bury it. The abuse that Mrs.
Wright dealt with is evident with the murder of her bird, who is the representation of herself. It shows that women were treated as tools in this age and
how some were abused by the

Trifles, By Susan Glaspell Essay
Susan Glaspell's one–act play Trifles is based on the murder investigation of John Wright. Minnie Wright's isolation and the death of her canary are the
major factors that led to the murder of her husband. Glaspell stresses the perceived supremacy of males when investigating the murder by giving the
men lead roles in the investigation and by making fun of the "trifles" that the women are choosing to observe. It is ironic because the ordinary items
observed by the women were thought of as "trifles" to the men, but these items would have actually have aided in solving the murder case. Glaspell
uses various forms of irony and symbolism to emphasize the dominance of men, Minnie Wright's state of isolation, and many other key aspects of the
murder in her play Trifles.
The title of the play Trifles is used as a symbol to describe the way that women are viewed in the eyes of men. At the time of the play, males viewed
women as trifles. Trifles are described as items that are of little importance or significance (Wakefield). The title could also be used as a symbol to
signify the importance of the so–called "trifles" that the women were studying during the murder investigation. It is quite ironic because the common
items observed my the women were thought to be useless to the men, while after combining further information about the murder investigation, these
items would have been key to solving the case. Although they help Mrs. Wright by hiding any items that could have

Susan Glaspell Gender Roles
A World Dominated by Men: The Conflict of Gender Roles in Trifles by Susan Glaspell One issue that seems to have been prevalent throughout
history is that of strict gender roles. Issues involving gender are no exception in the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell. Strict gender roles create a conflict
that is not only revealed through the division of labor, but is also shown through the men's expectations and limitations for the women in their society.
The conflict in this play is expressed through the theme, the dialogue, and the setting.
Oppressive gender roles are expressed first through the title Trifles itself. By definition, a trifle is a thing of little value or importance. Whenever the
women were talking about Mrs. Wright's preserves, Hale laughs, "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles" (Glaspell 598). Using the word trifles
as the title indicates that the play contains a shallow, meaningless theme or concept, but the truths found in the theme of the title are actually very far
from insignificant. The trifles, although perceived by the men as trivial, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The men's word choice and tone when speaking to Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale comes across as demeaning and belittling. For example, when the men
walk in on the women talking about Mrs. Wright's quilt, the sheriff scoffs, "They wonder if she was going to quilt it or knot it!" (Glaspell 601).
Although the men limit the women to the "trifles" of housework and childcare, they still continue to mock them for delighting in those few things they
are allowed. By continuously ridiculing their character and intelligence, the men are creating an oppressive state for the women to live in. They abuse
their roles in the lives of their wives and ultimately spoil the concept of a happy marriage, creating tension and conflict between the men and women of
their

Trifles by Susan Glaspell Essay
Trifles by Susan Glaspell
In the short play "Trifles," by Susan Glaspell, various questions and issues originate concerning with the bond between women, the difference
between male and female, and what life was like in the early nineteen century for women. In addition, the importance and development of symbols are
crucial. Throughout the play, Glaspell uses symbols to further and support Minnie's isolation and lack of happiness in her life. Although the answers
may be evident there is room for guesswork and doubt. The play is cleverly written because we are never introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, to whom
the entire dialogue and mystery is surrounding. This lack of the main characters makes it hard to know what really went on and ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
The play is filled with symbols, especially the broken cage and the dead bird, which could have represented Minnie Wright herself, a woman whose zest
for life had been squeezed out of her by her tyrant of a husband. The women discuss Minnie's life. Mrs. Hale remembered Minnie Wright as a happy,
beautiful, gifted young girl before the years of toil and mistreatment by John Wright had turned her into a sad, lonely and perhaps, battered woman
(1624). Mrs. Hale was sympathetic because she also was a farm wife but at least, she had her children to keep her company. Mrs. Hale felt guilty that
she hadn't taken the time to visit Minnie Wright but she excused herself saying that their was so much work to do on the farm and the Wright place
never looked cheerful. Moreover, we must notice that neighbors were few and far away from each other. Houses were miles apart separated by
farmland and rough country; therefore visiting was a daylong trip.
In addition, we can presume that the party telephone was a threat to Minnie's husband growing sense of possession of his wife. He refused by
saying that " folks talked too much anyway, and all he wanted was peace and quiet..." Minnie was a caged bird living a very lonely life, with no
children, no family except for her husband, and no friends. The cage represents her home, which was found broken. To some, these dreary conditions,
might have seemed to lessen people's pride,

Meaning Of Trifles By Susan Glaspell
Susan Glaspell Works Perhaps the most notable difference between the two works is the change in title. The title of the drama, "Trifles" implies
the inconsequential nature of the women, in the eyes of their male counterparts. Several times, within both works, the men regard the women as
frivolous. In the drama, one of Mrs. Peters' first lines is an explanation of Mrs. Wright's concern over the state of her fruit preserves: "Oh, her fruit;
it did freeze. She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire'd go out and her jars would break" (Trifles). Mrs. Peters' explanation is
met with mockery as her husband replies "Well can you beat women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves" (Trifles). This exchange
comes just

Trifle By Susan Glaspell Essay
Among every story there is always a hidden truth, and "Trifle" is no exception. Written in 1916 by Susan Glaspell the play narrates the story of
Minnie Foster and the serious of events that led her to murdering her husband. Symbols such as the house, a canary and a birdcage are applied to
significantly emphasize Minnie Foster isolation. The house is a major symbol. Even though the home is the closest to town, it is located down in a
hollow and can not been seen from the road. " Trifles focuses on the death of an oppressive husband at the hand of his emotionally abused wife in an
isolated and remote farm in the midwest."(Barlow 70–86) The seclusion of the home constructs a lonely environment.Thus Minnie Foster is separated
from the world,... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Mrs. Hale compres Minnie to a canary "She was kind of like a bird herself–real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and–fluttery" (Glaspell 1011) Birds
are a symbol of freedom. They are meant to fly and be in constant movement. Their spirits are wild, and can not be contained. Their home is the
endless skies and the comforts of the clouds. The comparison is ironic since Minnie Foster's spirit is isolated and has been contained in a unpleasant
marriage. "Glaspell paint quickly establishes that the canary symbolizes the particular cheerful side of Mrs. Wright destroyed by the oppression of her
marriage." (Sutten 170–178) Canaries are full of life and brightness. After her marriage the oppression of her husband has killed her cheerful side and
raped her of her life. The canary is known for its beautiful voice. The bird's song is a replacement to the silence of a marriage without children. "
Love, particularly maternal is associated with sound and in its absace with silence"( Makowsky 61) Minnie is a caretaker with no children to take
care of. Beyond being isolated she is lonely and deprived from her true desires. The bird just like herself has been trapped and condemned to live in

The play 'Trifles written by Susan Glaspell can be mediated a radical writing in it its advancement of the feminist changes. This season in
American History of the feminist progress taking stem, with it's ideas of a bigger fairness across genders, was a time that should always be evoked
and anecdotal in any style. Since this play was written, the feminist action has been grasped, and America is much replaced, yet it is all the more
critical to know where we as a community came from so we can acknowledge the sovereignty and power we have now. Trifles was ambigous but
alluring. On this basic reading the focus of the play is not fair. The play looks to be about two men trying to acquisition a cause for a murder while two
women, who are demanding to attend their time, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Though, I still do not know what Monster's Ball is about, reading Trifles for the second time settled to be different. Glaspell's crooked focus
became possible to me in my further reading. The symbolism is a good facet of the play. The dead bird that Ms. Hale and Mrs. Peters observe is a
symbol of Minnie Foster's enclosed death. The open birdcage exemplify the wife's new found ability through the death of her husband. In
resemblance to phenomenon, we use actual items to symbolize abstract things everyday. The author diffuseness confirms to be a plus as follows far.
Glaspell argues women's place in community over the play. The men, who clinch the extraordinary titles of county sheriff and deputy, spend time
looking for corporeal clue and using deluxe methods to clarify the murder but come up with a zero. The women, who I fishy were housewives, deal
with the case softly and carefully. The women use their particular awareness about Minnie Foster to assumption reasons why she would have slayed her
husband. They use the off–focused joining in the blanket to speculate that she was annoyed about

The play Trifles, written by Susan Glaspell, incorporates symbols that accentuate the trials of women during that time period. Women were viewed as
being inferior to men, rather than equal to men. The symbols presented throughout the play depicts the lives of women during this era as being trapped
and underappreciated. There are also symbols that show parallels to the events in the play and showcase the mental state of Mrs. Wright. Important
symbols present in this play are the canary, the bird cage, the apron, the title, and the quilt. The author utilizes the literary technique of symbolism to
ensure that readers understand the message in the play, rather than directly telling the audience the lesson that the author expects them to learn through
reading. This type of literary device makes the play more enjoyable for readers, as it engages them as they attempt to understand the meaning behind the
symbols.
First, the canary is symbolic of Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters presume that Mr. Wright had killed Mrs. Wrights bird, this is a parallel to how
he treated her. Mr. Wright took away his wife's joy as expressed... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The word Trifles is symbolic of the trials of women because one definition for the word Trifles is, "something of little value, substance, or importance"
(Merriam–Webster). Women of the time were considered to be of less value than men. This may also apply to modern times, as women's work is
still not considered to be worth equal value to that of men's work. Trifles are also another name for preserves, as in the ones mentioned throughout the
play. These preserves represent the hard work of women. In the play, the women recognize how much hard work Mrs. Wright would have gone
through for those preserves only to have them go to waste. The men do not think about the labor that had been put into the preserves. Instead, they
only see it as a sort of hobby that Mrs. Wright spent some of her time

Justice In Trifles By Susan Glaspell
Someone once said "The best revenge is always to just happily move on and let karma do the rest." ,Mrs.Wright wasn't thinking this when she killed
her husband. Throughout the play, "Trifles", solidarity and revenge major concepts. Mrs. Hale, the neighboring farmer, and Mrs. Peters, the sheriff's
wife, find themselves hiding and lying about evidence to protect their friend, Mrs. Wright, who's being accused of murdering her husband. In "Trifles",
Susan Glaspell shows that, solidarity and revenge were some of the only ways women could get justice and protect themselves in 1800's
Solidarity and empathy go hand in hand. In the text, the women continually showed empathy toward Mrs. Wright. For example, Mrs. Peter and Mrs.
Hale shared stories about

Essay on Trifles by Susan Glaspell
Trifles was written in the early 1900's by Susan Glaspell. This occurred far before the women's movement. Women were generally looked upon as
possessions to their husbands. Their children, all wages, and belongings were property of their husbands. In Glaspell's story it is easily depicted as to
what role the men and women portrayed in society at this time.
Glaspell proves her point by a conversation between two women in this story. The women, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, are at the scene of the murder of
John Wright. The women accompanied the County Attorney, theSheriff, and Mr. Hale to the house. Mr. Hale describes everything that he saw the
morning he discovered Mr. Wright's body. The men have come to the house looking for evidence to... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
All the men notice is clutter. The men do not look deeper behind the meanings of this disarray. However, the women do. The women understand that
the reason that things such as the towels are not clean is because she more than likely was busy doing her many other chores of the household. They
also considered how much trouble Mrs. Wright went to fix the preserves. The women reason that the uncaring concern John had for Minnie and the
attention he paid to the house perhaps forced Minnie to resort to killing. Even the County Attorney, Sheriff, and Mr. Hale could not understand all the
difficulties women go through. They criticize Mrs. Wright as well as insult all women. Mr. Hale says, "Well, women are used to worrying over
trifles." The actions of just these men show how women were taken for granted in this era. Inevitably, the men are unable to prove that Mrs.
Wright murdered her husband but are going to convict her anyway. However, the women have solved the case. They come to the conclusion that Mrs.
Wright was not treated very well by her husband and was not able to withstand the mistreatment anymore. They could tell the lack of attention he paid
to his wife. The men still have a hard time accepting this concept because they do not believe that men treat women badly.
The title, Trifles, as well as the examples all represent how men view women. A "trifle" is something

In some societies today the idea of sexism sounds preposterous, our society now although it still exists has almost extinguished the notion of sexism,
unlike the early 19th century, where women were treated inferior to men, and lived a patriarchal life. Susan Glaspell exposes the patriarchal society in
her play "Trifles." Although at first the play may seem like a solved murder mystery, Glaspell goes much further than that, she connects her play to the
society she lived in and even future societies to an extent. Glaspell writes about the gender differences that occurred during her time.
The theme of sexism and patriarchy can be seen early on in the play. Glaspell in the opening of her play introduces the three male characters of the
play, Mr. Hale, the County Attorney, and the Sheriff. All have shown the patriarchal bias their society holds. the men are given titles like "Sheriff" and
"County Attorney," suggesting a "leading" role and dominance, while the women of the play are there simply as visitors, again showing how women
take a role unequal and inferior to that of the men. In the opening of the play we see how the men ridicule and further demean women, marking them
useless to the investigation. For example, "Oh, her fruit; ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Wright remains silent; Glaspell does not add her in the dialogue of the play. Glaspell's choice to keep Mrs. Wright silent and out of the dialogue
shows how women in Glaspell's society remained silent because of the Dominance that the men asserted. Another example of the men enforcing the
society's status quo is when Mr. Hale states "It never seemed a very cheerful place" and the County Attorney replies by stating" No––it's not cheerful. I
shouldn't say she had the homemaking instinct." the attorney mocks Mrs. Wright as if to say that she doesn't have the one thing that a woman is
supposed to be good at. The attorney's statement further backs the themed that were prevalent in the

Susan Glaspell Trifles
For my research paper assignment, I was stuck between two works that seemed equally worth spending time on and analyzing thoroughly. I have
decided to use Trifles by Susan Glaspell for my paper. As a person who loves literature, I tend to gravitate more towards the seemingly simple but very
complex plots. I ended up loving the concept and the base for the short play. Not only is the play packed with symbolism, but the play is based on a
real life murder case; just like the ending of the story, Kilifi Creek, was based on a real accident. I liked the creativity Susan Glaspell uses to depict the
themes she wants readers to focus in on. The major concept of the simple story is about men overlooking what women may have to offer and unification

Susan Glaspell Trifles
In the short story, Susan Glaspell's (1916) "Trifles," tells a perplexing mystery in which a woman's husband was strangled to death while laying in bed
next to her sleeping. There are points in the story which Mrs. Wright, whose being held in custody, seems to be stereotyped by the men. As the County
Attorney, Sheriff, and Hale walk through the farmhouse investigating the scene, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale sit at a table observing Mrs. Wright's
kitchen connecting dots themselves about what might have led to the murder of Mrs. Wright's husband. As the men come down the stairs, the County
Attorney says, "No, Peters, it's all perfectly clear except the reason for doing it. But you know juries when it comes to women. If there was some definite

In her play, "Trifles," Glaspell writes about a murder committed in a farmhouse on a cold winter day. This mystery includes two women from different
backgrounds that work together to solve the mystery of Mr. Wrights death. The obstacles they face along the way teach many valuable lessons. The
relationship between Mrs. Peter and Mrs. Hale helps explain the overall theme of the gender divide occurring in 1916. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale
come from different backgrounds. Mrs. Peters is "married to the law" (1089) because her husband is a sheriff. Mrs. Peters was always trusted to
do the right thing. She was from the city and was a traditional "housewife". Mrs. Hale is married to a farmer and they lived next door to the Wright's
home in the country. Mrs. Hale knew Mrs. Peters wasn't "raised around here" (1086) The two women didn't see eye to eye immediately when it came
to the law. However, they felt connected because the men believe "women are used to worrying over trifles" (1083). "The two women move a little
closer" together after hearing what the men had to say (1083). Despite their different backgrounds they are both motivated to figuring out what ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Peters and Mrs. Hale both go through obstacles trying to solve the mystery. It was difficult because the men thought they were more superior. The
county attorney says "not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies" (1083)? Both women are "afraid of what they are saying, but as if they
cannot help saying it" (1087). Both Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale saw that Minnie's bird–cage was "broken" (1086). Mrs. Hale thought it looked "as if
someone had been rough with it" (1086). They both saw that "someone had wrung it's neck."(1087). At that point they both knew that Mr. Wright had
killed the bird. After they figured out who killed the bird it created the obstacle of not letting the men find out. Mrs. Peters becomes the partner in
crime when she helps Mrs. Hale hide the bird "in the pocket of her big coat"

The relation of the title of the play "Trifles" to the play is subtle but present. According to the Merriam–Webster dictionary, the word trifle means
"something of little value, substance, or importance". Near the beginning of the play, Hale says "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles."
(Glaspell 258). This is the only time "trifles" is used in the play. However, the way the characters act and speak amongst each other reveals the true
meaning of the title. The men disrespect the women multiple times in the story. The sheriff and court attorney make comments that are obviously
meant to be sexist toward the women such as "Well, you can beat the women! Held for murder and still worryin' about her preserves" and "Ah, loyal
to your sex, I see." (Glaspell 258). The men treat the women as trifles and disregard them for a majority of the play. After making all those comments
about women, they chose to investigate upstairs rather than the kitchen. That's where the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They are blinded by their sexism which prevents them from looking in the one place where they could've found a sufficient amount of evidence
against Mrs. Wright. As the women look around downstairs, they realize more and more things about Mrs. Wright and begin to feel kind of bad for
her. Mrs. Peters shows this by saying "Somehow we just don't see how it is with other folks until––– something comes up." (Glaspell 263). What she
means by this is that one never knows what's truly happening in someone's life until that person needs to know or is allowed to know. The women
in the play end up finding a dead canary and hiding it from the men to protect Mrs. Wright. They notice that the canary was killed by breaking its
neck, similar to the way Mr. Wright was killed. This presumably shows the main motive behind Mr. Wright's death. He killed the one thing that made
Mrs. Wright feel like she had someone even when she was all alone. That is was leads them to hide

Trifles By Susan Glaspell Analysis
Music is a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung. Music can also be interpreted in so many ways which is why it is a
symbolic thing. When I read the play "Trifles" written by Susan Glaspell, many songs came into my head in relation to the play. There are many
songs I believe that can relate to this story because there is so much emotion involved. Minnie Foster is whom the story is actually based around,
even though she's not in any of the scenes. She was a happy outgoing person who loved to sing, dress nice, and be around people in general, but
once she married her freedom was taken from her. Her husband did not show her affection and he didn't even want to have kids, so she was
extremely lonely. She did have a pet bird that she felt a deep connection with because she too felt caged and wanted to be free. In this essay I will be
talking about some songs that I felt represents the lack of women respect during that time period, as well as focusing on Minnie as a person prior to her
marriage and her relationship with her husband.
During the 1900's men were considered the head of the house, even today that still applies, however back in that time period there was little to no
respect for women. In the play, we can clearly indicate that the two women; Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters were constantly disrespected by the attorney.
"Dirty towels! (kicks his foot against the pans under the sink) Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" (Glaspell 136).

Susan Glaspell Themes
Susan Glaspell is an American Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright who composed the phenomenal play "Trifles" in 1916. The concept of the play
came about while she was reminiscing about the Hossack's murder case. Glaspell created five central characters to bring the play to life on stage who
are George HendersonВ¬В¬–county attorney, Henry Peters–sheriff, Lewis Hale–a neighboring farmer, Mrs. Peters, and Mrs. Hale. A terse overview of
the play includes Mr. Hale visiting the Wright's farmhouse to preferably speak with Mr. Wright; unfortunately, Mr. Wright was strangled to death by a
rope. Mrs. Wright claims she does not know what occurred in their home due to her heavy sleeping. However, the central characters segregate by gender
to formulate a resolution ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Wright is in jail. During the time period of the play, women rights were oppressed and the only option they had to earn an identity in the patriarchal
society was by becoming a wife. Men were the superior and self–assertive beings while women were inferior to them and timid. Women depended on
men to provide for them even if they were miserable during the early twentieth century. Men would work the farm during the day while women tended
to the housework. From my perspective, Mrs. Wright murdered her husband because she wanted an escape from the pain and isolation in her
marriage. According to Mrs. Hale, "I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. No, Wright wouldn't like the bird–a thing that
sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too" (1613). This implies that Mr. Wright killed Mrs. Wright's bird as he did her aspirations. Therefore, Mrs.
Wright's anger built up in her over the years and it finally erupted causing her to strangle her husband as he did her one prized possession who kept
her company. The bird represented Mrs. Wright because it was locked up in the birdcage just as Mrs. Wright was isolated from the world in her
marriage. Her only escape from the horror was

Trifles Susan Glaspell
'Trifles' by Susan Glaspell and 'Florence' by Alice Childress touch the two most important subject of American History. One is women's right and other
is racism. 'Trifles' by Susan Glaspell is written in early twentieth century. Around that time, women are considered to be only good to have children and
take care of the household and their husband. Susan Glaspell's play criticizes this preventive social behavior toward women. On the other hand,
'Florence' by Alice Childress is written in mid twentieth century. Around that time, Black are segregated and considered low class citizen. Blacks are
often presented with different place to sit, drink, and eat. Alice Childress' play defines the politics and prejudices of white society toward the inferior ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
At that time, male–dominated society never gave them opportunity to progress in society. Men consider women nothing more than their property.
They don't value their opinions and views. "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles" (Glaspell 945). Husband was the king of the house,
and wife was simply a person who just raise kids, cook, and spend as much time doing household work. In their free time, they sew, knit or quilt.
However, it was the work of writers and reformers, which start the demand for equal rights and treatment. In Glaspell play, Trifles, Mrs. Wright
went extreme to demand her independence for male dominance. Also Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters also present a rebel, when they hide the evidence
from sheriff and attorney, which could have proven Mrs. Wright guilty. On the other hand, Alice Childress' 'Florence' presents white women, Mrs.
Carter, as a dominating character. She thinks of herself as liberal and tolerant toward blacks. However, her conversation with Mama describes her
as racist. She indirectly disrespects blacks. She refers to an old black male, Porter, as "boy". Mrs. Carter hits the height of racism, when she told
Mama that being servant is the most appropriate job for black women. She thinks that she was giving favor to Mama by offering her daughter,
Florence, a work as a servant. "A white woman's attempt to hire Florence as a domestic rather than an actress"

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