It is important to note that Susan Glaspell’s play “Trifles” is a multifaceted story. Symbolism plays a significant role in literature by providing deeper meaning and enhancing the overall impact of a story. Symbols are often used to convey complex themes, emotions, and ideas through concrete objects, actions, or images. They can add depth and layers to a story, allowing readers to interpret and connect with the text on a personal level. Through the characterization of Mrs. Minnie Wright and the actions of the female characters in the play, Glaspell demonstrates the complex significance of this symbol. Thesis: A bird in a cage symbolizes systematic oppression, a value outside of economics, and a trigger for revolution.
Firstly, the image of a bird in a cage is a powerful symbol of the systematic oppression of women, which is evident in many different cultures and time periods. Women have been constrained by patriarchal institutions for most of history, and this has led to a range of negative consequences for both men and women (Sultana et al. 8). For example, the author writes: “she—come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself—real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and—fluttery. How—she—did—change” (Glaspell). By comparing Mrs. Minnie Wright to a bird in a cage, Glaspell highlights the constraints that women faced in the early 20th century and the difficulties that they still face today.
Moreover, the image of the bird in a cage serves to illustrate the ways in which patriarchal institutions limit women’s freedom and potential. Just as a bird cannot fly or prosper while in a cage, women are often prevented from achieving their full potential by the limitations placed upon them by society. In this way, the symbol of the bird in a cage serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and the need to challenge patriarchal institutions in order to achieve true equality.
Secondly, the image of the bird in a cage represents an item or entity of great value that is not determined by its economic worth. In a capitalist society, everything is commodified and valued based on its profitability, but there are many things in life that hold significant value despite their lack of monetary value. Family members, pets, children, friends, and sentimental items are all examples of things that hold great personal value and cannot be reduced to a price tag (Bandelj and Spiegel 13). In the case of Mrs. Minnie Wright, the bird in her cage was likely one of the few things in her life that brought her joy and gave her a sense of purpose (Glaspell). For a person living in an oppressive system with little economic mobility, such as Mrs. Wright, the bird in her cage became a source of value and meaning that could not be measured by its economic worth. This further emphasizes the ways in which patriarchal institutions limit women’s opportunities and the importance of valuing entities beyond their economic worth.
Thirdly, the symbolism of the bird in the cage in the play has a subtler meaning that relates to the idea of revolution. The play was written at the beginning of the 20th century, a time marked by feminist revolutions and movements for women’s rights (Shorrocks 131). During and after the wars, women rose up to demand equality and justice, and the symbol of the bird in the cage can be interpreted as a call for revolution against the patriarchal institutions that oppress women. Mrs. Minnie Wright’s action in killing her husband can be seen as an act of rebellion against the constraints placed upon her by society (Glaspell). This act of rebellion may reflect the sentiment of many women at the time who were beginning to question their role in society and demand greater freedom and equality. The symbol of the bird in the cage, therefore, becomes a powerful metaphor for the potential for women to break free from the constraints of patriarchy and rise up to demand change.
In conclusion, systematic oppression, a value outside of economics, and a trigger for revolution are all meanings hidden behind a bird in a cage image. Through the characterization of Mrs. Minnie Wright and the actions of the female characters in the play, Glaspell highlights the complex significance of this symbol. The bird in the cage is not just a representation of Mrs. Wright’s entrapment but a symbol of the systematic oppression of women, an item or entity of great value that is not determined by its economic worth and a call for revolution against patriarchal institutions. These different interpretations of the symbol are interconnected and contribute to a deeper understanding of the themes and messages of the play. Thus, the use of the bird in the cage as a symbol in the story illustrates the power and importance of symbolism in literature in conveying complex ideas and enhancing the overall impact of a story.
Works Cited
Bandelj, Nina, and Michelle Spiegel. “Pricing The Priceless Child 2.0: Children as Human Capital Investment” Theory and Society, vol. 1, 2022, pp. 1-26.
Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles.” American Literature, 1916, Web.
Shorrocks, Rosalind. “A Feminist Generation? Cohort Change in Gender-Role Attitudes and the Second-Wave Feminist Movement.” International Journal of Public Opinion Research, vol. 30, no. 1, 2018, pp. 125-145.
Sultana, Sharifa, et al. “Design Within a Patriarchal Society: Opportunities and Challenges in Designing for Rural Women in Bangladesh.” Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, vol. 18, 2018, pp. 1-13.