For a woman in the early 1900s, her role (for the most part) was immensely evident in that time period. She was to be the caretaker of the children, the one who slaved over the stove, and the one who kept the house neat and tidy. Since the man of the household was the one working, doing labor outside, and bringing in the income, women were looked at as inferior to the men. In Susan Glaspell’s Trifles, she brings light to some of the gender issues in her society, and shows the different ways of problem solving and thinking between men and women. The conflict in Trifles is derived from the expectations, criticism, and underestimation placed on women by the society (and especially men) in the early 1900s (or in this case the expectations for Mrs.
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The men use rude dialogue such as, “loyal to your sex, “not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies,” and “women are used to worrying over trifles” (Glaspell 604). This criticism placed on the ladies, and especially Mrs. Wright, goes to show the small regard the men had for the women.. The men did not understand all of the “work to be done on the farm,” and that “Farmers’ wives have their hands full” as Mrs. Hale said in defense for Mrs. Wright (Glaspell 604). The fruit preserves are an excellent symbol to show the “hard work” Mrs. Wright put in; however, the men just described them as “a nice mess” (Glaspell 604 and 605). Due to the men’s rude comments, it would not be an understatement to say that gender issues were an underlying problem when dealing with the criticism of the …show more content…
Mr. Hale sarcastically said, “ women are used to worrying over trifles,” but little did he and the others know that these “trifles” would be the ultimate clues to their investigation (Glaspell 604). If the men would have simply treated the women with respect, then the ladies would most likely have shown them their findings. As a result of the men’s disrespect of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, the females made the decision to keep Mrs. Wright’s secrets and withhold evidence from the investigation; the biggest indication of this was Mrs. Peter’s character shift from respectably being “married to the law,” to being a rebellious rulebreaker (Glaspell 611). Prior to this, the women had their mind’s set on solely getting Mrs. Wright’s belongings, but as the berating continued, their stance shifted, and their new goal was to protect Mrs. Wright. Furthermore, the bird box could stand as a symbol for the containment of the ladies secrets. They kept Mrs. Hale’s motive hidden and also their honesty in that “pretty box” (Glaspell 609). If the men had not underestimated and disrespected the ladies, part of the conflict would have been resolved, and they would then have a motive for their investigation; however, their egotism prevented this from happening. In conclusion, Trifles is indeed a play having greatly to do with gender issues in the early 1900s. The far-fetched expectations, unnecessary criticism, and
The men use rude dialogue such as, “loyal to your sex, “not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies,” and “women are used to worrying over trifles” (Glaspell 604). This criticism placed on the ladies, and especially Mrs. Wright, goes to show the small regard the men had for the women.. The men did not understand all of the “work to be done on the farm,” and that “Farmers’ wives have their hands full” as Mrs. Hale said in defense for Mrs. Wright (Glaspell 604). The fruit preserves are an excellent symbol to show the “hard work” Mrs. Wright put in; however, the men just described them as “a nice mess” (Glaspell 604 and 605). Due to the men’s rude comments, it would not be an understatement to say that gender issues were an underlying problem when dealing with the criticism of the …show more content…
Mr. Hale sarcastically said, “ women are used to worrying over trifles,” but little did he and the others know that these “trifles” would be the ultimate clues to their investigation (Glaspell 604). If the men would have simply treated the women with respect, then the ladies would most likely have shown them their findings. As a result of the men’s disrespect of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, the females made the decision to keep Mrs. Wright’s secrets and withhold evidence from the investigation; the biggest indication of this was Mrs. Peter’s character shift from respectably being “married to the law,” to being a rebellious rulebreaker (Glaspell 611). Prior to this, the women had their mind’s set on solely getting Mrs. Wright’s belongings, but as the berating continued, their stance shifted, and their new goal was to protect Mrs. Wright. Furthermore, the bird box could stand as a symbol for the containment of the ladies secrets. They kept Mrs. Hale’s motive hidden and also their honesty in that “pretty box” (Glaspell 609). If the men had not underestimated and disrespected the ladies, part of the conflict would have been resolved, and they would then have a motive for their investigation; however, their egotism prevented this from happening. In conclusion, Trifles is indeed a play having greatly to do with gender issues in the early 1900s. The far-fetched expectations, unnecessary criticism, and