essay on the topic trifles

by Susan Glaspell

Trifles essay questions.

How does Trifles reflect and alter the plot formula of a typical murder mystery?

In most fictional mystery novels and plays, the plot is androcentric and features an actively analytical male hero who discovers the identity of the murder by searching for evidence and reasons his way through the crime. Sherlock Holmes, for example, is generally dispassionate in his pursuit of murderers as he continually bests the police at their own jobs. Like Holmes, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale act as amateur detectives who circumvent the folly of official law enforcement, in the form of the sheriff and the county attorney. Unlike typical male crime solvers, however, the women of Trifles avoid the ruthless search for information that also characterizes Henderson and instead achieve their solution by the seemingly accidental observation of Minnie Wright's kitchen while simultaneously developing a desire to protect rather than condemn the perpetrator.

Describe the inner conflicts of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, and explain how they resolve these conflicts.

Of the two characters, Mrs. Hale begins the play with a greater suspicion of the designs of the men in their investigation of Mrs. Wright's crime. However, not until she compares the state of the Wright kitchen to her memory of Minnie Foster does she articulate that "we all go through the same things--it's all just a different kind of the same thing," and she comes to accept her portion of blame for not alleviating Minnie Wright's loneliness. On the other hand, Mrs. Peters commences with the assumption that because she is married to the sheriff, she must uphold male definitions of duty and law. By the end of the play, she protects Minnie because she has chosen to empathize with someone who reflects her own needs rather than with the identity imposed by her marriage.

How does the cold temperature of the setting connect symbolically to the rest of the play?

Initially, the cold outside the farmhouse establishes the bleak, contemplative mood that dominates much of the play. At the same time, it leads to a situation that physically and metaphorically separates the women from the men, as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters refuse to join the men and take their traditional post next to the hearth. Finally, it reflects Minnie Wright's state of mind and the sense of loneliness that precipitated her murder. Significantly, her jars of preserves break from the cold, just as she loses her ability to preserve her emotional health in her unhappy household.

Are the women justified in their choice to hide the evidence? (Please take a side although both points of view are covered in the answer key.)

On the one hand, the women have chosen to protect Minnie Wright because they see themselves in her and do not want to be hypocritical and condemn her. Minnie has been desperately lonely and unhappy for many years, going through emotional and possibly physical abuse from her husband, and the killing of the only living thing that cares for her may have justified retribution in kind. On the other hand, one could contend that Mrs. Wright has still committed murder, and neither the death of an animal nor years of marital troubles excuses homicide. By aiding and abetting her, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are effectively accomplices who have condoned murder.

Explain the significance of the title "Trifles."

The name of the play refers specifically to Lewis Hale's casual statement that "women are used to worrying over trifles" near the beginning of the play, when Mrs. Peters' attention is drawn to the broken jars of fruit preserves. Hale offers this statement in an indulgently superior manner, but the fallacy of his assumptions becomes clear as the women proceed to solve the case precisely by looking at the minor details. In their search for external, smoking gun evidence outside of the kitchen and living room, the men do not recognize that all the necessary information about her motives rests in the domestic area at the center of Mrs. Wright's life. Mrs. Hale says defensively that nothing is wrong with looking at little things while waiting for evidence, but in reality, she is not waiting for evidence but actively discovering it as she develops a picture of Minnie Wright's dismal home life.

Discuss Glaspell's use of foreshadowing in Trifles .

At the beginning of the play, the unspoken stage directions that introduce the scene serve as foreshadowing for the rest of the play, as it hints at the personalities of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters while drawing attention to the evidence that will later become important in our understanding of Minnie Wright's psychology. Later, when the women discuss the quilt and the birdcage, these objects foreshadow the subsequent discovery of the dead canary. Meanwhile, Lewis Hale provides an early hint of marital discord when he suggests that Mr. Wright does not listen to his wife and that their household does not have a telephone. From his offhand comment, cut off mid-sentence by Henderson, we receive our first clue of Mrs. Wright's motive for murder.

How does Glaspell undermine the attitude of the men toward the women over the course of the play?

The three men uniformly treat Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale with indulgent condescension, as they make gentle fun of the women for worrying about "trifles." The men do not blame the women for what they perceive as incompetence precisely of the wives' gender. However, by the end of the play, the women have succeeded more fully than the men have in pursuing evidence for the murderer, and the men do not have the instincts necessary to discover their wives' subversion of their authority. Henderson touches upon key subjects that might lead him to the murder but in the end regards them as insignificant, and he mistakes Mrs. Peters as "married to the law" and absolves her of possible complicity.

How does Henderson and Mrs. Hale's clash over the meaning of Mrs. Wright's dirty kitchen encapsulate their opposing views of the world?

Whereas Henderson sees Mrs. Wright's unkempt kitchen and concludes that Mrs. Wright must have been an incompetent homemaker, Mrs. Hale defends her and suggests that the bleakness of the Wright farmhouse might actually have been John Wright's fault. Henderson is taking a representative male view, in that he believes that a woman's main duty is to take care of her home and that John Wright was a good man who suffered a horrible fate. Mrs. Hale, on the other hand, intuitively understands more of Minnie Wright's situation and feels that the state of the kitchen is partly a result of being abruptly removed from her house and partly a response to something wrong in the household. After she finds the canary, she realizes that she was right, but like the men in general, Henderson never discovers the inadequacy of his assumptions.

Explain how Glaspell identifies Minnie Wright with objects in her household.

The three objects to which Minnie Wright connects most closely are the jars of preserves, the quilt, and the canary. The jars of preserves explode from the cold, despite her best attempts to prevent that fate, and she too loses her calm because of the coldness of her husband, although she never discovers the fate of the jars because the women choose to protect what remains of the preserves just as they choose to protect her. Second, quilts are a symbol of love and warmth, both of which Minnie lacked, and her faulty stitching on the last section of the quilt suggests her breakdown in her attempt to create order out of metaphorical scraps. Finally, the canary and its beautiful singing comes to represent the young Minnie Foster who loved life and loved to sing, and when her husband strangles it, she feels that she has lost part of her identity and decides to exact revenge.

What does Minnie Wright's absence contribute to the plot?

In part, Minnie's absence is a theatrical device that allows the two woman sleuths to solve the riddle of the murder by themselves, thus bringing them closer together and showing their worth. At the same time, because Mrs. Wright has no physical presence, she becomes an everywoman, who represents the extreme of the struggles of all women in her era and region of the country. The audience, Mrs. Hale, and Mrs. Peters all come to identify with Minnie Wright, thus giving the protagonists the moral ability to forgive her for her crime. We do not need her existence on stage to sympathize with her because the objects in her kitchen speak for themselves.

Trifles Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Trifles is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How do the womens perspectives on men differ?

Womens perspectives on men differ as men are dutiful and are sincerely searching for the evidences in the house where murder took place but women are just worrying about the trivial matters and when they find the motive behind the murder,the dead...

The bird represents Minnie.... when she was a girl, she was happy vivacious, and loved to sing. The bird's death represents her life after marriage.... isolated and confined.

The birdcage represents imprisonment.... the isolation Minnie feels in...

What is the theme of the the story

Female identity and patriarchal dominance make up the main theme of the story. In Trifles , the men believe that they grant female identity by virtue of the women's relation to men rather than through their inherent qualities as females. Except for...

Study Guide for Trifles

Trifles study guide contains literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Trifles
• Trifles Summary
• Character List

Essays for Trifles

Trifles essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Trifles by Susan Glaspell.

• The Unheimlich in Susan Glaspell's Play Trifles: A Feminist Interpretation of Freud's Uncanny
• Layers of Significance in Susan Glaspell's "Trifles"
• From Courtroom to Stage: Susan Glaspell's "Trifles"
• The Institution of Marriage in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” and Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”
• Portrayal of Women in Trifles

Lesson Plan for Trifles

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Trifles
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Trifles Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Trifles

• Introduction

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," PapersOwl.com , 07-Apr-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/diving-deep-into-trifles-a-critical-analysis-of-themes-and-symbols/. [Accessed: 2-Sep-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: 2-Sep-2024]

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Play Analysis

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Compare and contrast Trifles to any contemporary work of art that delves into violence perpetrated by women; for example, choose something like the television show Killing Eve or the miniseries Sharp Objects. Within your analysis, be sure to attend to the differences in time period between the two works. How do each of them represent the tensions and conflicts specific to their era, and what do they have in common? Focus both on the literary and dramatic conventions each work uses, as well as the thematic and social content. 

Choose two character foils and explain how the pair advances the themes of the play. Foils that are composed of opposing genders may work particularly well for this prompt, but you can also choose to analyze two women as foils. Mrs. Wright’s absence from the play, for example, can be seen as a foiling mechanism to either Mrs. Hale or Mrs. Peters . 

Using direct quotation and a careful parsing of each recurrence of Mrs. Wright’s unfinished quilt , write an essay that explains the quilt’s significance as a symbol in the play. 

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78 Trifles Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on trifles, 🔎 easy trifles research paper topics, 🎓 most interesting trifles research titles, 💡 simple trifles essay ideas.

• The Significance of the Title “Trifles”
• “Trifles” Play by Susan Glaspell
• Comparison S. Glaspell’s Play “Trifles” and “A Jury of Her Peers”
• Stage Directions and Dialogs in Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”
• Theme in Glaspell’s “Trifles” and Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”
• Susan Glaspell’s ‘Trifles’ – Gender Oppression and Justice
• Plays “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Trifles”
• “The Drama Trifles” by Susan Glaspell “The Drama Trifles” is a play by Susan Glaspell that focuses on gender, isolation, and justice. The drama primarily centers on the oppression of women.
• Gender Divide and Solidarity in Susan Glaspell’s ‘Trifles’ Trifles is an one-act play written by Susan Glaspell which crux of the story is the murder of John Wright, and the subsequent investigation of this event by other characters.
• Role of Men and Women in Susan Glaspell’s Play “Trifles” It has been a significant change regarding the position that women held in the 19th century and the present-day community.
• Mrs. Hale in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell Mrs. Hale is the protagonist of Susan Glaspell’s Trifles, and her actions as such constitute the main driving force of the plot.
• Sisterhood in Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” Play Susan Glaspell’s play “Trifles” highlights the theme of sisterhood by showing the lengths that women are willing to go in defense of their gender.
• “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell The one-act play Trifles by Susan Glaspell, presents both a riveting murder mystery and commentary on social justice at the same time. This play reflects the status of women in the era of 1916.
• A Transformation in “Trifles” Play by Glaspell Glaspell’s proper dramatic debut was her second play, Trifles (published in 1916), which genuinely revealed her range as an artist.
• Use of Logic in Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” Trifles, a work by Susan Glaspell, follows the structure of a common murder mystery but includes elements of social commentary and issues of great value.
• Feminism in “Trifles” by Susan Keating Glaspell The play Trifles was published in 1916 during the peak of the Feminist Movement. The play’s title refers to something insignificant or very trivial, which holds no importance.
• Message to Men and Women in Glaspell’s “Trifles” Through “Trifles”, Glaspell teaches men to respect and value women as equal humans while letting women know their societal position should be changed.
• A Critical Analysis of Gender Dynamics in Glaspell’s ‘Trifles’ Embark on a journey through the intricate layers of Susan Glaspell’s ‘Trifles,’ where the characters of Minnie and her female allies defy patriarchal norms.
• Feminist Perspectives in ‘Trifles’: Analyzing Susan Glaspell’s Play One of the main points made by the play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell, is how women and their interests remain unnoticed by the men, who have more power.
• Comparison of the Key Characters of the “Trifles” Play The essay will examine “Trifles”, a play by Susan Glaspell, and its characters’ contribution to conveying the main point of the piece.
• Women’s Worldview in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell “Trifles” is a one-act play written by Susan Glaspell, first performed in 1916. The play views men and women through the story of a murder investigation.
• Gender Roles in Glaspell’s “Trifles” Play This paper discusses the gender roles and the oppression of women in Glaspell’s “Trifles”. Characters’ interactions reveal how society viewed spousal abuse.
• Gender Difference in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell This paper analyzes the play “Trifles” written by Susan Glaspell in 1916 and its portrayal of gender culture and gender roles in society.
• The Evaluation of Susan Glaspell’s Trifles Susan Glaspell’s Trifles provides an appropriate example of this statement, and the writer effectively described the problem of sex discrimination.
• The Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell The play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell is about a murder scene where the male authority investigates Mr. John Wright’s death.
• Glaspell’s “Trifles” & “Jury of Her Peers” and Miller’s “A View From the Bridge” The plays “Jury of Her Peers”, “Trifles” and “A View From the Bridge” are relevant to a class on Law and literature and highlights how different people construe fairness.
• Gender Roles in Trifles Play by Susan Glaspell The “Trifles” play, written in 1919 by Susan Glaspell, illustrates the world of a gender-strict role, where men dominated the society.
• Symbolism and Character Motivation in Glaspell’s “Trifles” “Trifles” is a short play composed by Susan Glaspell, which revolves around the killing of John Wright and the murder apprehension of his wife, Mrs. Minnie Wright.
• Gender Roles and How Women are not Taken Seriously in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell The paper describes how symbolism, setting, and irony were used in outlining the theme of gender roles and how women are not taken seriously in the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell.
• “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell Analyis Feminist stance reflects varying perceptions of men and women, and the play “Trifles,” written by Susan Glaspell, is an excellent example of literary works focused on this topic.
• Resistance to Oppression in Glaspell’s “Trifles” and Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun Dramas The individuals in A Raisin in the Sun encounter numerous challenges due to racial discrimination while those in Trifles face the predicaments of gender-based abuse and torture.
• Women’s Gender Role Unfairness: “The Yellow Paper” and “Trifles” This paper takes Gilman’s “The Yellow Paper” and Glaspell’s “Trifles” to address the paradigm of rigid gender roles and see how diverse stories unfold a similar conflict.
• Women and Men in the Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell The research of the Trifles play by Susan Glaspell exposes a significant contrast between female and male actions, based on a different perception of the environment.
• “Trifles” Play by Susan Glaspell: Deductive Analysis The illustration of females in the time of Susan Glaspell’s Trifles’ writing was a misconception. Females perform essential duties, which were the basis of family survival.
• “Those Winter Sundays” by Hayden R., “Miss Brill” by Mansfield C. and “Trifles” by Glaspell S. All three works are united under the stream of modernism and have common features, but individuality of each author makes his work sound peculiar and incomparable to other works.
• Minnie’s Deed in Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” Play Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” play is the portrayal of the difficult life of a woman living in the USA prior to the 19th Amendment.
• “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell Literature Analysis The short story by Susan Glaspell is full of flat and round characters. Stereotypes were used effectively as well to make the story believable.
• Sexism in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell The feeble behavior of the females in the story hinges on men’s aggressiveness and oppressive nature, which underscores sexism in the story.
• Justice, Murderers, Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” and William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
• Comparing Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” and “A Jury of Her Peers”
• How Things Can Be for Women: Gender Issues in “Trifles”
• Men’s Superiority Over Women in the Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
• The Role of Women in Society in “Trifles” and “Death of Salesman”
• Racism, Materialism, and Sexism in “Revolt of the Evil Fairies”, “A Perfect Day for Bananafish”, and “Trifles”
• Dramatic Suspense and Tension in “Trifles”, a Play by Susan Glaspell
• Feminist Communication in Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”
• Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” and Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”: The Institution of Marriage
• Gender Roles and Stereotypes in “Trifles” and “Oleanna”
• How Mrs. Peters Breaks Away From the Traditions in “Trifles”
• “Trifles”: Mrs. Wright’s Criminal Psychology
• Male Dominance: Oppressing Women in “Trifles”
• Women’s Struggle for Equal Rights in the Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
• The Plays “Sure Thing” and “Trifles” and What They Say About Women’s Issues
• Male Elitism and the Opposition of the Natural and Godly: Analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” and Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”
• Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” From a Historical Point of View
• The Setting, Characterization, and the Theme of Class Conflict in the Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
• “Trifles”: The Little Things That Mean a Lot
• Will the Play “Trifles” Be Popular With Audiences 100 Years From Now?
• Feminist and Legal Elements in “Trifles”
• “Hamlet” and “Trifles”: Aspects of the Past Relevant to the Present
• How Susan Glaspell Portrays Women in Her Play “Trifles”
• Sensitivity and Marital Relationships in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
• Just Kitchen Things: Males and Females in “Trifles”
• The Motive for Murder in the Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell and the “Story Killings” by Andre Dubus
• Social and Psychological Differences in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
• What Do “Trifles” Say About the Role of Women in Society?
• “Trifles” and “Oedipus Rex”: Psychological Critical Perspective
• “Trifles”: Bipolar Disorder and Depression Needs
• The Relationship Between Men and Women in Glaspell’s “Trifles” and Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
• Keeping Secrets: “Trifles” and “A Doll’s House”
• Masculine and Feminine Attitudes in “Trifles”
• Round and Flat Characters in “Trifles” by S. Glaspell
• “Trifles” and Symbolism Solve the Mystery
• Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”: The Conveyance of Womanhood
• The Classic Cues Signifying a Murder Mystery in “Trifles”, a Play by Susan Glaspell
• The Name “Trifles” and Its Significance
• Motifs That Represent the State of Women in Susan Glaspell’s Play “Trifles”
• “Trifles”: Gender Role and Minnie Foster

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Literary Analysis Susan Glespell’s Trifles Analytical Essay

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Susan Glespell’s ‘Trifle’ is a play that presents a diverse view of the male-dominated society. Susan Glespell presents a somewhat critical view of society through a murder scene in which a woman is accused of murder and an investigation takes place to determine whether she is the murder or not (Glaspell).

The investigation eventually divides into two teams; the first constituting the men, and the second constituting the women. The actions of the two teams present a view toward modern day society that strongly brings the play forth as a feminist work.

The character of Minnie Wright in Susan Glespell’s Trifles is a very interesting character since it is never seen and yet she steer’s the play ad influences it more than any of the other characters. It is imperative to note at this point that ‘Trifles’ is mainly a feminist work and advocates against the traditional housewife concept.

In this regard, the character of Minnie Wright plays a key role by serving as the source for the turns that the plot takes (Glaspell). As the women look around the house, each object they find and scrutinize provides a deeper insight into Minnie Wright’s persona. Through this relationship, Minnie Wright continues to drive the other characters in the play.

When the women come across the dead canary in Minnie Wright’s belongings, the dead bird serves as a development of Minnie Wright’s character and this development in her character serves to have an almost immediate influence on the decisions taken by the women in the play (Glaspell).

It can therefore be observed that as Minnie Wright’s personality is explored through the investigation that the women carry out through the house, Minnie Wright’s character continues to develop significantly. Eventually, the termination of the plot is also influenced by an act that owes its origin to Minnie Wright’s character.

It can therefore be surmised that Trifles is mainly a feminist play. Through the character of Minnie Wright, the play seeks to speak out against the growing prevalence of the male-dominated model of society (Glaspell).

The actions of the female characters in the play are symbolic for the manner in which Susan Glespell seeks to highlight the need for the role of women in society to be realized. Susan Glespell stresses upon the need for women to stick together while shedding a blunt and somewhat generalizing light on the men. She gives very little attention to the men but makes sure that the men are shown to be in power every time they come forth.

Susan Glespell tops off her play by showing that the men consider themselves to have done all the work, whereas the decision has been modeled silently by the women (Glaspell). By doing so, Susan Glespell seeks to highlight the need to realize the actual power that women have in society.

It can also be observed that Susan Glespell highlights the need for women to assist each other. By pocketing the dead canary, the female character protected the murderer and allowed the murderer to live even though she realized that this would be wrong.

Through this act, Susan Glespell highlights that the quest for right and wrong requires the realization of integrity and respect for women in society (Perkins and Perkins). It can therefore be justly concluded that Susan Glespell’s ‘Trifle’ is indeed a feminist work and seeks to engage in feminist objectives through the plot and the characters.

Works Cited

Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. California: D’arts Publishing, 2009.

Perkins, George and Barbara Perkins. The American Tradition in Literature. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008.

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Susan Glaspell

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Social Oppression of Women

The play presents a world of strict gender roles, in which the men occupy the sphere of work while the women exist solely in the home. Yet the separation of men’s and women’s spheres is not merely one of a division of labor. Rather, Trifles portrays a world, dominated by men, in which social expectations and restrictions have essentially confined women to the home and bound them to their husbands, with little control or identity…

The Blindness of Men

As described in the theme on the Social Oppression of Women, Trifles’ use of gender roles establishes the men in the sphere of work and influence and the women in the sphere of the home and trifling concerns. Yet, at the same time, the title of the play highlights the trifling concerns that the men mock, and in doing so emphasizes that the “ trifles ” that the men overlook because they are feminine concerns…

Gender Allegiance vs. Legal Duty

Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are torn between their loyalty to another woman – a loyalty born of their shared experience of social oppression – and their duty to obey the law and present the evidence they uncover. The men in the play stress the importance of legal duty, particularly reminding the sheriff’s wife Mrs. Peters, that she is, for all intents and purposes, “married to the law.” Responsibility to the law is thereby equated…

Trifles might be described as a kind of murder mystery. Yet a murder mystery usually ends with the criminal being brought to justice, and instead in this murder mystery it is the idea of justice itself that is complicated. In discovering the dead bird , Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters find evidence that serves as a motive for Minnie’s killing of her husband but also, from their viewpoint, somewhat justifies Minnie Wright ’s act of…

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — Trifles

Essays on Trifles

When it comes to writing an essay on Trifles by Susan Glaspell, choosing the right topic is crucial. The topic sets the tone for the entire essay and can greatly impact the reader's interest and engagement. In this article, we will discuss the importance of choosing the right topic and provide a detailed list of recommended essay topics for Trifles, divided by category.

The topic of your essay plays a significant role in shaping the overall narrative and argument presented in your writing. A well-chosen topic can make your essay stand out and demonstrate your critical thinking abilities. It also allows you to showcase your understanding of the text and its themes, characters, and symbolism. On the other hand, a poorly chosen topic can make your essay seem unoriginal and uninteresting, so it's essential to put thought and consideration into your topic selection.

When choosing a topic for your Trifles essay, consider selecting a theme, character, or element of the play that resonates with you. Think about the aspects of the play that you found most compelling or thought-provoking. Additionally, consider the broader context of the play and how it relates to the time period and societal norms. By choosing a topic that interests you, you are more likely to produce a well-researched and engaging essay.

Choosing the Right "Trifles" Essay Topics

• The role of gender and sexism in the play
• The concept of justice and injustice
• The theme of isolation and loneliness
• The portrayal of power dynamics
• The significance of domesticity and household chores
• The theme of empathy and understanding
• An analysis of Mrs. Wright's character
• The transformation of Mrs. Peters throughout the play
• The role of Mrs. Hale in the development of the plot
• An exploration of the male characters' attitudes towards the female characters

Social Context

• The portrayal of rural life in the early 20th century
• The impact of societal expectations on the characters' behavior
• An examination of the legal and justice system of the time
• The role of women in society during the play's time period
• The significance of the birdcage
• The symbolism of the quilt
• The use of the canary as a symbol of Mrs. Wright's life
• The meaning of the broken jars of fruit preserves

Comparative Analysis

• Comparison of Trifles with other works by Susan Glaspell
• Comparison of Trifles with other plays from the same time period
• Comparison of the play with contemporary views on gender and justice

Setting and Atmosphere

• The significance of the farmhouse in Trifles
• The use of lighting and sound in the play
• Creating tension and suspense in the setting
• Symbolism of the kitchen in Trifles
• Impact of the setting on the characters' actions

Dramatic Elements in Trifles

• The role of symbolism in Trifles
• Character analysis of Mrs. Wright
• Theme of gender roles in the play
• Use of irony and foreshadowing in Trifles
• Comparison of the play to contemporary society

Social and Historical Context

• Exploring the role of women in the early 20th century
• The portrayal of rural America in Trifles
• Impact of the play on feminist movements
• Analysis of the legal system in the play
• Comparison of Trifles to other works of the time period

By considering these categories and the suggested essay topics within each, you are sure to find a topic that resonates with you and captures the essence of Trifles. Remember to conduct thorough research and analysis to support your arguments and present a well-structured and compelling essay.

Trifles by Susan Glaspell: Women's Silent Voices

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Themes of Justice and Injustice in Susan Glaspell's Trifles

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Portrayal of Social Oppression of Women in Trifles by Susan Glaspell

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Male Control and Women's Suffrage in Trifles by Susan Glaspell

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October 21, 1916 by Susan Glaspell

One-act Play

Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Peters, and Mrs. Hale

The play Trifles is set in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Wright has been arrested for the murder of her husband. The Sheriff, the County Attorney, and Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, the wives of the men, are searching the house for evidence. The women find a box of matches and a birdcage with a broken door. They also find a quilt that Mrs. Wright was working on. Mrs. Hale remembers that Mrs. Wright used to be a happy, lively woman. Mrs. Peters is not sure what to think. The men find a dead canary in the stove and a broken window. They also find a knife that has been wiped clean. The men think that the women are not looking for evidence, but the women know that they are.

The main theme of the play is the power of women. The play shows how women are often underestimated and how they are capable of great strength. The play also explores the theme of sexism and how it can lead to violence and oppression.

The symbols in the play include the quilt, the bird, and the canary. The quilt represents women's lives and how they are interconnected. The bird symbolizes freedom and the canary represents the women's voices.

The play has been influential in feminist and women's rights movements. It has also been adapted into film and television.

• The play is set in a small town in Iowa.
• The play has been adapted into film and television.
• The play was first published in a collection of short stories called "A Jury of Her Peers."
• The play is based on a true story.
• The play is currently in the public domain.
• "There's a lot of things that go on in a house that women know about and men don't."
• "The law is the law, but it's not always justice."
• "What do women really know about men?"
• "Men are different. They're just not as interested in the little things."
• "Women are more interested in gossip because they don't have anything else to do."

The play "Trifles" is important because it explores the theme of sexism and how it can lead to violence and oppression. The play also shows how women are often underestimated and how they are capable of great strength.

This topic should be used in order to discuss the importance of feminism and women's rights. The play can also be used to discuss the issue of sexism and how it can lead to violence and oppression.

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Essays on trifles

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