Loss Of Innocence In Trifles

In the early nineteenth century, Susan Glaspell wrote Trifles and sought to expose the patriarchal society oppressing women. The story unfolds with the murder of Mr. Wright. Mrs. Wright maintains her innocence, but it is extremely implausible for her husband to be strangled by a burglar while she slept. Foul play is involved so the Sheriff, Sheriff’s Deputy, and County Attorney arrive at her home to gather evidence while Mrs. Wright is held for questioning. The story depicts the loneliness, servitude, and decay of the Wrights household. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters have the ability to spot evidence by paying attention to small details and uncover extenuating circumstance for the murder. The wives then hide this evidence from their husbands. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters believe that Mrs. Wright would never receive a fair trial because the men could not understand the woman’s frame of mind. Even though Mrs. Wright broke …show more content…
Behavior was controlled and there was an implicit obedience that was maintained. The murder of Mr. Wright breaks these edicts displaying a direct defiance in the patriarchal structure. The men do not care why the crime was committed, they only want proof of Mrs. Wright’s guilt. The extenuating circumstances of Mrs. Wright’s life would be extremely important in sentencing or concluding guilt. The men cannot understand certain details that are clear to women because they have never had to serve. While in the house the men see “Nothing here but kitchen things.” (Glaspell 116), however, the women are able to see the meaning behind the queer condition of the kitchen. They can see her mental state in the dirty towels, awkward sewing, and half swept counters. Mrs. Wright was under extreme mental duress that the men could not understand, therefore she would never receive a fair trial. It was up to her peers to judge her