Examination of Mrs Wright in Trifles by Susan Glaspell Essay

Examination of Mrs Wright in Trifles by Susan Glaspell The play ?Trifles?, by Susan Glaspell , is an examination of the different levels of early 1900?s mid-western farming society?s attitudes towards women and equality. The obvious theme in this story is men discounting women?s intelligence and their ability to play a man?s role, as detectives, in the story. A less apparent theme is the empathy the women in the plot find for each other. Looking at the play from this perspective we see a distinct set of characters, a plot, and a final act of sacrifice. The three main characters, Mrs. Peters, the Sheriff?s wife, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Wright are all products of an oppressive society which denies them their right to think and†¦show more content†¦about her preserves.?(1172), he tries to clean his hands but has trouble finding a clean rag. He comments on Mrs. Wright to the ladies, ?Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies(1172) Here Mrs. Hale starts her defense and also starts to identify with Mrs. Wright, ?Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men?s hands aren?t always as clean as they might be.?(1172) A few line?s later she comment?s on Mr. Wright and what Mrs. Wright?s relationship and life must have been like, ?But I don?t think a place?d be any cheerfuller for John Wright?s being in it.?(1172) As the ladies examine the house, while the men are other places, picking clothes and an apron up for Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Hale gains sympathy for her until finally she starts to take action. When they find the block of quilting that has stitching askew, she starts to fix it, perhaps to cover for Mrs. Wright?s distraught state of mind. While Mrs. Hale is finding sympathy for Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Peters offers a counterpoint that tries to justifies the men?s viewpoints and actions. Her comments to Mrs. Hale?s resentful musings on Mrs. Wright?s unhappy life and on the actions of men in regards to women in general all seem to be rote answers programmed into her by society and a desire not to cause any trouble. This all changes as soon as Mrs. Peters finds the bird. Mrs. Peters says ?Somebody ? wrung ? its ? neck.? [Their eyes meet. A look of growing comprehension, of horror?](1177) NowShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis Of Trifles By Susan Glaspell1016 Words   |  5 PagesPerspective: Readers Response Criticism to â€Å"Trifles† by Susan Glaspell The play written by Susan Glaspell in 1916 is based on the murder of John Wright where the prime suspect is his spouse; Minnie Foster. â€Å"Trifles† is fixated on the investigation of the social division realized by the strict gender roles that enable the two men and women to have contending points of view on practically every issue. 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