Trifles

                Gender was the main focus in Trifles by Susan Glaspell.  Referring back to the Cultural Studies notes, women are categorized as the “others “ in the Western society. The women in the story come off as inferior while following behind the men as they enter the house. There was a point in history where women were even categorized as the minority in society. Males are clearly more dominant and superior in this story. The women’s voice was much more limited and they were more careful in what they said around the men. The needs and opinions of the women weren’t really considered. Hale even said, “I said to Harry that I didn’t know as what his wife wanted made much of difference to John.”  That statement established that the household was run by Mr. Wright and his wife didn’t have much say, but whatever say she had didn’t really matter because the final decision would be made by the man of the house. The women’s worries were always seen as minor to the men. Hale states, “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.” Implying that most of the time they were disregarded and not as important.

                Mrs. Hale made a remark, “those towels get awful quick. Men’s hands aren’t always as clean as they might be.” and the County Attorney replied, “Ah, loyal to your sex, I see. But you and Mrs. Wright were neighbors. I suppose you were friends too.”  That exchange displayed the separation of gender. It showed how the women defend each other “GIRL POWER”, but still respectful of the men. They are still aware of the “dirt” men do and make it appoint to recognize it.  When the men made casual remarks and joked about things in the kitchen, it’s because they are blind to the world of women. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale took the remarks personal and expressed that through their body language towards each other. Mrs. Hale admits, “I know how things can be—for women. I tell you, it’s queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things—it’s all just a different kind of same thing.” The women can relate because that was the lifestyle they had all been living whether the circumstances were different, at the end of the day they were all experiencing the same thing. During the investigation Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale stayed down in the kitchen while the Sheriff and County Attorney went to investigate the scene where John Wright was found dead. Immediately the women got more comfortable and started noticing things that women seem to notice when there are familiar with the setting.  The roles are obvious that the women do the house work while the men do work for justice and seek answers. The traditional homely set up was that men were the head of the household and the men took full advantage of having authority over the women.

                While alone in the kitchen Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale begin to arrange what they are going to take to Mrs. Wright in jail to help make her feel “natural” in there; her apron being one of the items. They also check up on things around the kitchen where Mrs. Wright spent most of her time. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale found an empty birdcage while they were looking through the cabinets. Mrs. Wright formally known as Minnie Foster was described to have been sweet and pretty like a bird, but timid and fluttery before she got married. Mr. Wright was known as a good man, but he was a hard man to live with. Once Mrs. Wright got married her happiness was dulled and she was no longer the way she used to be. Her house was gloomy and uncheerful.

                The canary represented Minnie Foster, the woman Mrs. Wright used to be. If she couldn’t sing anymore and didn’t feel pretty or worthy it was because of Mr. Wright, and she would live through the canary. Mrs. Hale even says, “No, Wright wouldn’t like the bird—a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that too.”  Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale found the bird wrapped in silk in a red box and it looked like it had been strangled. Mr. Wright is obviously responsible for taking the birds life and taking the life out of his wife. Mrs. Wright was restricted to do house and field work while her husband did whatever he did that made him superior. The bird was found wrung at the neck just as Mr. Wright was found with a rope around his neck. Those discoveries parallel because just as Mr. Wright took away Mrs. Wright’s joy in life, she took away his life for payback. She was clearly miserable living under his circumstances.