Introduction
Susan Glaspell’s play, Trifles, examines the differences between men and women and how these differences can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. Through the characterization of its male and female protagonists, the play argues that gender defines ways of looking at the world and approaching problems and that these differences can create tensions and divisions between the sexes.
Summary
The play is set in a rural farmhouse in the early twentieth century and revolves around the murder of John Wright, the owner of the farm, who has been strangled in his bed. The sheriff, the county attorney, and a neighbor named Hale arrive to investigate the crime, while the women who live in the farmhouse – Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale – accompany them as witnesses. As the men search for evidence to incriminate the suspect, the women uncover clues that reveal the motive for the murder and ultimately lead to the killer’s identity.
Analysis of Male Characters’ Case Perception
The play’s male characters – the sheriff, the county attorney, and Mr. Hale – are depicted as practical, rational, and objective in their approach to the crime. They focus on physical evidence, such as the broken birdcage and the dead canary, and dismiss anything they consider trivial or insignificant. For example, when Mrs. Peters remarks that Mrs. Wright was worried about her preserves freezing in the cold weather, the county attorney responds, “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.” (Glaspell).
This dismissive attitude towards women’s concerns and interests is a recurring theme throughout the play, reflecting the patriarchal attitudes of the time period. The men view women as inferior and irrational and underestimate their ability to contribute to the investigation. As the county attorney says, “A sheriff’s wife is married to the law,” implying that Mrs. Peters has no independent knowledge or insight that could be valuable to the investigation (Glaspell).
Analysis of Female Characters’ Behavior
In contrast to the male characters, the play’s female characters—Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are portrayed as intuitive, empathetic, and attuned to the emotional undercurrents of the situation. They notice small details that the men overlook, such as the fact that Mrs. Wright’s sewing basket has been disturbed, and they interpret these details in a way that reveals the victim’s psychological and emotional state.
For example, when they discover the dead canary, Mrs. Hale remarks, “If there’d been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful – still, after the bird was still” (Glaspell). This emphasis on emotional intelligence and intuition is presented as a feminine trait. The play suggests that women have a unique perspective on the world that men often overlook or undervalue. When Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale discover the motive for the murder – that Mrs. Wright was driven to kill her husband in a moment of despair over the loss of her beloved bird – they understand and sympathize with her emotional state, even as the male characters are focused solely on the physical evidence.
Gender-Based Comparison of Characters’ Attitudes
In this way, the play argues that men and women have different ways of understanding and responding to the world around them. Although men focus on logic and reasoning, women often emphasize empathy and intuition, sometimes resulting in conflicts and misunderstandings. Mrs. Hale says, “We all go through the same things – it’s all just a different kind of the same thing” (Glaspell). Here, Trifles offers a detailed and layered depiction of gender dynamics, emphasizing how societal gender norms and expectations influence individuals’ thoughts and actions.
By depicting the male and female characters, the play suggests that men and women have different strengths and weaknesses and that these differences should be valued and respected rather than dismissed or denigrated. As Mrs. Peters says at the end of the play, “I know what stillness is. When we homesteaded in Dakota, and my first baby died – after he was two years old – and me with no other then -” (Glaspell). This statement highlights the everyday experiences of women, including the loss of a child, and how those experiences can shape their perceptions and understanding of the world. The play also suggests that women’s experiences are often ignored or overlooked by men, who are more focused on practical matters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Susan Glaspell’s Trifles presents a nuanced and complex portrayal of gender relations, highlighting how men and women approach problems differently and how those differing aspects can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. The play suggests that men prioritize logic and reason, while women value empathy and intuition, and these differences can complement each other when working together. Through its portrayal of the male and female characters, the play argues that women’s perspectives and experiences should be valued and respected rather than dismissed as “trifles.“ Ultimately, the play suggests that by recognizing and embracing these differences, men and women can work together to create a more harmonious and just society.
Work Cited
Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. 1924.