It is important to note that the given comparative analysis will focus on two versions of Susan Glaspell’s tale. The first work of Susan Glaspell is a one-act play, “Trifles,” whereas the second is its adaptation titled “A Jury of Her Peers.” The key literary element of comparison is symbolism revolving around the bird in a cage. The differences and similarities will be emphasized in how the symbol is treated in both texts to convey meaning and support the understanding of a character. The symbolic context, depth, and connection to the theme of patriarchy are richer in “A Jury of Her Peers” compared to “Trifles” primarily due to background information and narration.
Firstly, in “Trifles,” the bird’s symbolic nature can only be derived by paying close attention to the conversations between Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale because the meaning is conveyed by implying its purpose. 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, “Trifles”). A similar conversation can be noted in “A Jury of Her Peers” as well, where the link between the bird in a cage symbol and Mrs. Minnie Wright is established. However, when it comes to providing more context, the adaptation gives additional information through the narration before the events in the story itself commence. For instance, “A Jury of Her Peers” narrates that she “could see the Wright place now, and seeing it did not make her feel like talking. It looked very lonesome this cold March morning” (Glaspell, “A Jury of Her Peers”). This depicts an image absent in “Trifles,” which paints Mrs. Minnie Wright as being physically similar to a bird trapped in a cage.
Secondly, the stories are different during the culmination scene when Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale realize what happened and make a decision to side with Mrs. Minnie Wright out of empathy and womanly understanding. In “Trifles,” the emphasis of the decision is made with the rising of Mrs. Peters’ voice when she says: “We don’t know who killed him. We don’t know” (Glaspell, “Trifles”). However, in “A Jury of Her Peers,” the narration provides a stronger emphasis on the characters’ inner and voiceless thought processes. It is stated: “it was as if something within her, not herself, had spoken, and it found in Mrs. Peters something she did not know as herself” (Glaspell, “A Jury of Her Peers”). In other words, the latter provides a deeper context of how the decision to conceal the evidence of the bird’s killing came about, which is linked to something external. However, in “Trifles,” it seems as if it was Mrs. Peters who made the decision rather than their collective understanding of the character.
In conclusion, the explication reveals that the two versions of Susan Glaspell’s tale essentially tell the same story, but the symbolic meaning is conveyed richer in the adaptation compared to the original. “A Jury of Her Peers” showcases that the decision by the two wives to side with Mrs. Minnie Wright was made out of their mutual understanding of their collective suffering under patriarchy. Although a similar meaning of symbolism is implied in “Trifles,” it seems only one character takes an actionable step to make it a reality. Therefore, both the narration and additional context in “A Jury of Her Peers” enable a greater emphasis on the central theme of reconciliation under patriarchy.
Works Cited
Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles.” Medieval Fragments, 1916, Web.
“A Jury of Her Peers.” Medieval Fragments, 1917, Web.