By Susan Glaspell
Introduction — 📚 Trifles by Susan Glaspell is a one-act play written in 1916, rooted in the genre of early feminist drama. Susan Glaspell, a pioneering American playwright and novelist, explores the themes of gender roles and the marginalization of women. Set in a rural farmhouse, the play delves into a murder investigation, revealing how the overlooked “trifles” of women’s lives can hold significant meaning. Trifles highlights the stark contrast between the male and female perspectives, offering a sharp critique of societal norms and the justice system.
Plot Summary
Plot Summary — The play opens in the kitchen of the Wright farmhouse, where the sheriff, his wife, the county attorney, and the neighboring farmer and his wife gather to investigate the murder of John Wright. The men dismiss the kitchen and its contents as irrelevant, focusing on traditional clues in the bedroom and barn. Meanwhile, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, left in the kitchen, discover subtle but telling details: a broken birdcage, uneven stitching on a quilt, and eventually, a dead canary with a wrung neck. These “trifles” lead them to realize that Mrs. Wright, driven to despair by her husband’s oppressive nature, likely killed him in a moment of emotional turmoil. The women, empathizing with her plight, decide to hide the evidence, understanding that the men would never grasp its significance.
Character Analysis
Character Analysis —
Main Characters
| Character | Personality | Motivations | Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Hale | Strong-willed, empathetic | Seeks justice for Mrs. Wright | Develops a deeper understanding of women’s struggles |
| Mrs. Peters | Law-abiding, compassionate | Torn between duty and empathy | Grows to empathize with Mrs. Wright |
| Mr. Hale | Practical, straightforward | Aids in the investigation | Remains unchanged, focused on facts |
| Sheriff Peters | Authoritative, dismissive | Solves the case | Fails to recognize the importance of the “trifles” |
| County Attorney | Condescending, analytical | Proves Mrs. Wright’s guilt | Dismisses women’s perspectives and evidence |
Themes and Symbols
Themes and Symbols —
Major Themes
- Gender Roles — The play highlights the differences in male and female perspectives, emphasizing how women’s insights are often dismissed as trivial.
- Isolation — Mrs. Wright’s loneliness and isolation are central to understanding her actions.
- Justice and Judgment — The play questions traditional notions of justice, showing how empathy and understanding can alter perceptions of right and wrong.
Key Symbols
- The Canary — Represents Mrs. Wright’s lost freedom and joy, symbolizing her oppressive marriage.
- The Quilt — Symbolizes the domestic life and the meticulous attention to detail that women give, which is often overlooked by men.
- The Broken Birdcage — Reflects Mrs. Wright’s own feeling of entrapment in her marriage.
Style and Tone
- Realistic Dialogue — Captures the everyday speech of the characters, adding authenticity to the rural setting.
- Symbolic Detail — Uses ordinary objects to convey deeper meanings, highlighting the significance of women’s experiences.
- Suspenseful — Builds tension through the gradual revelation of clues, keeping the audience engaged.
- Empathetic Tone — Creates sympathy for Mrs. Wright by illustrating her plight through the eyes of other women.
Literary Devices used in Trifles
Literary Devices used in Trifles —
Literary Devices Examples
Literary Devices Examples —
Symbolism
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The canary | Represents Mrs. Wright’s lost joy and freedom. |
| The quilt | Symbolizes the domestic life and attention to detail. |
| The broken birdcage | Reflects Mrs. Wright’s feeling of entrapment. |
Foreshadowing
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The broken birdcage | Hints at the violence Mrs. Wright experienced. |
| Uneven stitching | Suggests Mrs. Wright’s disturbed state of mind. |
| Quiet house | Implies the absence of happiness. |
Irony
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Men’s dismissal of the kitchen | The crucial evidence is found there. |
| Women’s “trifles” | They turn out to be the key to the case. |
| Men’s condescension | They miss the significant clues. |
Metaphor
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The bird as Mrs. Wright | Reflects her own stifled existence. |
| The quilt’s pattern | Represents the intricate nature of women’s lives. |
| The kitchen | Symbolizes the sphere of women’s work and their insights. |
Imagery
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Description of the cold, cheerless kitchen | Sets the mood of isolation. |
| The disarray of the sewing materials | Reflects Mrs. Wright’s mental state. |
| The lifeless canary | Highlights the loss of vibrancy and life. |
Dialogue
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Women’s conversation about the quilt | Reveals their insight and empathy. |
| Men’s dismissive comments | Show their lack of understanding. |
| Mrs. Hale’s reflections | Provide background and context. |
Tone
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Empathetic towards women | Shows the play’s feminist stance. |
| Critical of men’s attitudes | Highlights societal biases. |
| Reflective and somber | Matches the theme of isolation and despair. |
Motif
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Domestic items | Emphasize women’s roles and insights. |
| Bird imagery | Highlights themes of freedom and entrapment. |
| Sewing and quilting | Represent the detailed nature of women’s lives. |
Theme
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Gender roles | Central to the play’s conflict. |
| Isolation | Key to understanding Mrs. Wright’s actions. |
| Justice | Explores different perceptions of right and wrong. |
Personification
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The house “speaking” of its inhabitants’ lives | Adds depth to the setting. |
| The quilt “telling” a story | Reflects women’s detailed work. |
| The kitchen “holding” secrets | Emphasizes the importance of overlooked spaces. |
FAQs
Trifles – FAQs —
Q: What is the central theme of Trifles?
A: The central theme is the undervaluation of women’s experiences and perspectives, particularly in the context of gender roles and societal expectations.
Q: How does the setting contribute to the play’s themes?
A: The rural farmhouse setting emphasizes isolation and highlights the domestic sphere as the central place for uncovering the truth about Mrs. Wright’s life.
Q: Why is the canary significant in the play?
A: The canary symbolizes Mrs. Wright’s lost happiness and freedom, reflecting her stifled life and the final breaking point that led to her husband’s murder.
Q: How do Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters differ in their views at the beginning and end of the play?
A: At the beginning, Mrs. Peters is more law-abiding, while Mrs. Hale is empathetic. By the end, both women come to understand and protect Mrs. Wright’s actions, showing a unified empathy.
Q: What role does irony play in Trifles?
A: Irony is used to highlight the men’s dismissal of women’s “trifles,” which are ultimately the key to solving the case, underscoring the play’s feminist message.
Q: How does Susan Glaspell use dialogue to develop characters?
A: Glaspell uses realistic dialogue to reveal character traits, such as the men’s condescension and the women’s growing empathy and insight.
Q: What is the significance of the title Trifles?
A: The title refers to the small, seemingly insignificant details that the men dismiss but are crucial in understanding the case and Mrs. Wright’s motives.
Q: How does the play address the concept of justice?
A: The play challenges traditional notions of justice by presenting a situation where legal justice and moral justice may not align, advocating for empathy and understanding.
Q: Why do Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters choose to hide the evidence?
A: They hide the evidence out of empathy for Mrs. Wright, understanding the emotional and psychological abuse she suffered, and recognizing that the men would not understand or value this perspective.
Q: How does Trifles reflect Susan Glaspell’s views on feminism?
A: The play reflects Glaspell’s feminist views by highlighting the intelligence, insight, and solidarity of women, and critiquing the societal norms that marginalize and undervalue them.
Quiz
| Question** | Options |
|---|---|
| What is the primary setting of Trifles? | a) A city apartment b) A rural farmhouse c) A courtroom d) A factory |
| Who discovers the dead canary in the play? | a) Mr. Hale b) The Sheriff c) Mrs. Peters d) Mrs. Wright |
| What does the quilt symbolize in the play? | a) Wealth b) Domestic life c) Education d) Freedom |
| What is the climax of the play? | a) The men’s arrival b) The discovery of the broken birdcage c) Mrs. Wright’s confession d) The discovery of the dead canary |
| What do the men in the play overlook? | a) The bedroom b) The kitchen c) The barn d) The attic |
Exercise
Paragraph for Analysis
“Mrs. Hale stood looking about the kitchen, slowly coming to an understanding of the life this woman had led. She picked up a piece of broken thread, her fingers trembling slightly. ‘Poor thing,’ she whispered, thinking of the lifeless canary. ‘This was no place for joy or singing.’”
Answers
- Symbolism — The broken thread symbolizes the broken life and joy of Mrs. Wright.
- Imagery — “Lifeless canary” evokes a vivid picture of lost happiness.
- Tone — Empathetic and somber, reflecting the women’s growing understanding and compassion.
- Dialogue — Reveals Mrs. Hale’s inner thoughts and sympathy for Mrs. Wright’s plight.