Trifles, by Glaspell Susan, is a play that tries to draw the line between morally correct and incorrect actions. This it attempts through the choice of moral development schemas, which either seek to uphold morally correct principles which are applicable universally or those which are differentiated and reflective in nature, dynamic with changing sets of circumstances. However, through the play, the issue of feminism or the lack of it is clearly brought up (Gilligan 39).
In this play, a murder most foul occurs. A woman referred to as Minnie Wright is the main suspect in her husband’s murder n their isolated farmhouse. As is common practice in investigations and crime solving, enforcers of law and order, which in this case happened to be the sheriff and the county attorney rush to the scene to collect evidence that would probably lead to the apprehension of the guilty party (Glaspell 45). They are however accompanied to the murder scene by their wives and a neighbor, who are here on a different mission, to gather the belongings of the suspect who is already a visitor of the state. During the course of their intended actions, the women referred to as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters stumble across vital evidence that would have solved this case. While gathering the suspect’s belongings, they come across Minnie’s dead bird that had been violently strangled before being lovingly laid in a piece of expensive material in the suspect’s sewing box. This would later prove to be the missing piece in this murder puzzle (Glaspell 57).
The discovery of this incriminating evidence dawns on them as is attributed in the play’s stage directions, their eyes met coupled with a look of increasing horror comprehension. Mrs Hale and Mrs. Peters decide to hold on to their discovery and do not disclose any information with regard to the evidence they had collected (Glaspell 65). The men, who are thought to be symbols of authority and agents of the state, fail in their core responsibility to secure evidence in the crime scene. They routinely comb through every inch of the murder scene much to no avail. All this time, the women were concealing evidence vital unlocking the deadlock.
Feminist theory is clearly illustrated in the play. Unfortunately, it is centered on the treatment of women in the largely patriarchal society. As is evident in the play the women are forced into subordination almost by default and their plight and affairs are viewed as less important (Glaspell 97).
In its successful attempt to present the marginalized woman’s case, Glaspell’s Trifles presents a lady, Mrs Wright, who has been living in utter isolation from the rest of the society, quietly suffering under her husband’s dominance. We are informed that she is locked up at home and is even denied the privilege of a telephone. The patriarchal society in which Minnie and the rest of the women live in dictated the woman’s role in a marriage, and it was her husband’s role to ensure that she stays in her place (Glaspell 105).
Evidence of how other women are treated reveals that Mrs Wright’s case was not an isolated one because most of the other women in society underwent. Mr. Hale and The Sheriff for instance, address the two women in a mocking rhetoric. When the two women try to bring out Minnie’s concern about the jarred fruit, the Sheriff says “Well, can you beat that women! Held for murder and worrying about her preserves” (Glaspell 394). While responding to the Sheriff’s discriminatory comments by any standard, Mr. Hale adds that “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles” (Glaspell 394). The notion created by the above words is that everything that is of a woman’s concern is much less important than the crucial concerns that men attend to (Gilligan 66).
As it turns out, what men look at as trifles in the play are anything but that. The perceived trifle that is the singing bird and the kitchen details are in effect, the missing link in the case. The men would have viewed these details as trifles unworthy of their time and effort, even if the women would have brought it up (Gilligan 69). This is because the men looked down upon the women and cared less for their concerns. Trifle highlights the low status that women held in a society that was dictated by men.
Negative feminism is rife in the Trifle society. This is depicted in the play when we are informed that the women reflected, shared and pondered the details of Wright’s life, an action that enabled them to comprehend what the law enforcers and investigators could not, the motive of the crime (Gilligan 86). According to the women, the suspect had over the years become seemingly withdrawn and had given up singing. The deceased would not have tolerated the singing bird, just like he did not tolerate Minnie’s singing. The women were of the opinion that Minnie’s deceased husband had killed the bird. In their minds, the women were of the idea that Minnie had been oppressed by her husband over the years before she finally stood for herself, an action that turned tragic (Gilligan 97).
The play is relevant in the world today. This is because it seeks to have women viewed as equal members of society, whose voice and opinions should be heard and considered in whatever circumstance. It also serves as a lesson on the possible negative effects of feminism on the society. Despite the advancements in gender equity the world over, women are still not considered an equal gender. Trifles also plays a reflective role, allowing us to look back and gauge successes made in advancing gender equality while shunning discrimination.
Works Cited
Carol, Gilligan. In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development.
Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1982.
Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. Boston: Maynard and Company, 1920.
