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Trifles by Susan Glaspell Analysis
- Categories: Trifles
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Words: 429 |
Published: Jan 29, 2024
Words: 429 | Page: 1 | 3 min read
Table of contents
Gender roles in the early 20th century, plot summary of trifles, symbolism in trifles, the marginalization of women in trifles, references:.
- Bigsby, C. (2012). Modern American Drama, 1945-2000. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Glaspell, S. (1916). "Trifles." The Best American Short Plays 1915-1916 . Ed. Willa Cather and George Jean Nathan. Boston: Small, Maynard and Company.
- Jarvis, B. (2008). "Susan Glaspell and the Anxiety of Expression." American Literary Realism , 40(2), 109-122.
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Literary Theory and Criticism
Home › Literature › Analysis of Susan Glaspell’s A Jury of Her Peers
Analysis of Susan Glaspell’s A Jury of Her Peers
By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on May 27, 2021
Originally written and performed in 1916 as a play called Trifles , “A Jury of Her Peers” appeared in Everyweek on March 5, 1917, and became Susan Glaspell’s best-known story. On one level, readers may see it as an evocative local color tale of the Midwest, but its fame and popularity rest largely on its original plot and strongly feminist theme. Indeed, the story anticipates the feature-length film The Burning Bed and the legal issues debated in the 1970s and beyond: When is a wife justified in murdering her husband?
Susan Glaspell/AmericanLiterature.com
When the story opens, Minnie Foster Wright has been taken to jail for the possible murder of her husband, John Wright, names suggesting the diminutive and powerless wife and the confident husband. The protagonists of the story are Martha Hale, friend to Minnie since childhood, and Mrs. Peters—whose first name we never learn, married to Sheriff Peters, a blustery overpowering man who seems a double for John Wright. The men—including the sheriff, the county attorney, and Martha’s domineering husband, Mr. Hale—comb the house for evidence to convict Minnie of murder. So confident are they in their methods, however, that they fail to search the kitchen, the province of women, whose work they repeatedly criticize and belittle.
Martha and Mrs. Peters, the female sleuths in this story (which actually may be viewed as a form of detective fiction), examine the kitchen and, through such evidence as jam jars, quilts, an empty bird cage, and, finally, a dead bird, deduce the loneliness, poverty, and emotional devastation of Minnie Foster’s marriage. The loud, heavy footsteps of the men punctuate the two women’s gradual understanding that Minnie Foster murdered her husband in the same way that he had cruelly killed her canary. Although Martha Hale has been sympathetic all along, the little bird corpse is the deciding factor for Mrs. Peters, who recalls a similar incident in her youth: She easily could have killed the boy who destroyed her cat. More important, however, is Mrs. Peter’s awakening to the similarities between Minnie’s husband and her own. She joins Martha in conspiring to hide the dead bird, thus destroying the only physical evidence of Minnie’s motivation to murder. Minnie has been judged by a jury of her peers, and they have found her innocent.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Glaspell, Susan. “A Jury of Her Peers.” In American Short Stories. 6th ed. Edited by Eugene Current-García and Bert Hitchcock. New York: Longman, 1997.
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Diving Deep into ‘Trifles’: a Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols
This essay about Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” explores the intricate themes of gender oppression, societal norms, and justice. Set in a rural farmhouse, the play sheds light on the silent struggles of women, symbolized by Mrs. Wright’s plight. Through meticulous analysis of symbols like the kitchen and the dead canary, the essay unveils the profound layers of meaning within the narrative. It highlights the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in understanding human experiences, challenging readers to reevaluate their perspectives on gender and power dynamics. Ultimately, “Trifles” serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative potential of compassion in the pursuit of truth and justice.
How it works
Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” serves as a captivating canvas, painting a vivid portrait of gender dynamics, societal norms, and the often-overlooked nuances of human interaction. Within the rustic confines of a rural farmhouse, the play unfurls a tapestry of relationships and tensions, inviting readers to peer beyond the surface and into the hidden recesses of human experience. Through a meticulous examination of its themes and symbols, “Trifles” beckons us to embark on a journey of discovery, plumbing the depths of its narrative for profound insights.
At its core, “Trifles” grapples with the theme of gender oppression and the subjugation of women’s voices. Through the character of Mrs. Wright, Glaspell illuminates the suffocating weight of patriarchal expectations, relegating women to the margins of society. Mrs. Wright’s silent anguish becomes a poignant reminder of the countless women whose voices have been silenced and whose struggles have been erased by the dominant forces of patriarchy.
The stage itself becomes a battleground of symbolism, with each prop and setting choice imbued with layers of meaning. The juxtaposition of the living room and the kitchen serves as a visual metaphor for the divide between the public and private spheres, highlighting the societal expectations placed upon women to confine themselves to domestic duties. As the men scour the living room for tangible evidence, the women gravitate towards the kitchen, where they uncover the subtle clues and overlooked details that hold the key to understanding Mrs. Wright’s plight.
Central to the narrative is the motif of “trifles,” symbolizing the dismissive attitude towards women’s concerns and the tendency to overlook the significance of seemingly insignificant details. While the men scoff at the women’s preoccupation with domestic matters, they fail to recognize the deeper truths hidden within these seemingly trivial observations. Through the women’s keen insights and intuitive understanding, Glaspell challenges the notion that truth can be gleaned solely through rational inquiry, emphasizing the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in uncovering the complexities of human experience.
Beyond its exploration of gender dynamics, “Trifles” delves into the nature of justice and the limitations of the legal system. While the men approach the investigation with a rigid adherence to logic and evidence, the women navigate the murky waters of emotion and intuition, piecing together the fragmented puzzle of Mrs. Wright’s life. In doing so, they call into question the efficacy of a justice system that fails to acknowledge the emotional realities of human existence, advocating instead for a more holistic approach rooted in empathy and understanding.
The dead canary emerges as a haunting symbol of Mrs. Wright’s stifled aspirations and the violence of her oppression. Once a source of joy and companionship, the canary’s lifeless form serves as a stark reminder of the toll that patriarchal dominance exacts upon women’s lives. While the men view the canary’s death as mere evidence, the women recognize its symbolic significance, serving as a catalyst for solidarity and empathy in the face of injustice.
In conclusion, “Trifles” stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the hidden corners of human experience. Through its exploration of gender, power, and justice, the play invites readers to confront their own assumptions and biases, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human condition. In a world fraught with division and discord, “Trifles” offers a ray of hope, reminding us of the transformative potential of empathy and compassion in the pursuit of truth and justice.
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Diving Deep into 'Trifles': A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols. (2024, Apr 07). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/
"Diving Deep into 'Trifles': A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols." PapersOwl.com , 7 Apr 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/
PapersOwl.com. (2024). Diving Deep into 'Trifles': A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/ [Accessed: 13 Nov. 2024]
"Diving Deep into 'Trifles': A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols." PapersOwl.com, Apr 07, 2024. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/
"Diving Deep into 'Trifles': A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols," PapersOwl.com , 07-Apr-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/. [Accessed: 13-Nov-2024]
PapersOwl.com. (2024). Diving Deep into 'Trifles': A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbols . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/ [Accessed: 13-Nov-2024]
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