In the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell there are several different types of relationships examined throughout. Since writing this play in 1916 the relationships are very different then they are today. These different types of relationships add an extra element that enhances the readers experience when reading the play. The relationships investigated in this play are a murderous wife and dead husband, guilty friends, and the interesting dynamic husbands and wives in the 1900’s.
The most obvious relationship needed investigating in this play is between Mr. and Mrs. Wright. The only reason this play is going on is due to the fact that Mr. Wright was murdered, possibly by Mrs. Wright. Throughout the story the reader continues to ask, what was so …show more content…
The wives of the play seem to recognize the “trifle” aspects of the Wrights’ lives, where the men seem to think the insignificant trinkets hold no value. For example Glaspell writes, “They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it! (The men laugh, the women look abashed)” (985). To men this uneven quilt looks more like a lazy wife than a clue. The women, who have experience in quilting, come to the conclusion that Mrs. Wright was probably very nervous with what her husband was putting her through in their last few weeks together. This play having taken place 1916 the women are looked down upon and the men are the head of the relationship. They know best. They know all. As shown above the women eventually uses these “trifles” to solve the murder, while not informing their husbands. The reader sees with astonishment that the women withhold this information to even the playing field of relationship status between husband and wife. The men “know” it all, don’t find the evidence, and are head of house. The women actually know what happen, keep their friend safe, and remain looked at like a step stool. An interesting perspective that the reader get the chance to
The most obvious relationship needed investigating in this play is between Mr. and Mrs. Wright. The only reason this play is going on is due to the fact that Mr. Wright was murdered, possibly by Mrs. Wright. Throughout the story the reader continues to ask, what was so …show more content…
The wives of the play seem to recognize the “trifle” aspects of the Wrights’ lives, where the men seem to think the insignificant trinkets hold no value. For example Glaspell writes, “They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it! (The men laugh, the women look abashed)” (985). To men this uneven quilt looks more like a lazy wife than a clue. The women, who have experience in quilting, come to the conclusion that Mrs. Wright was probably very nervous with what her husband was putting her through in their last few weeks together. This play having taken place 1916 the women are looked down upon and the men are the head of the relationship. They know best. They know all. As shown above the women eventually uses these “trifles” to solve the murder, while not informing their husbands. The reader sees with astonishment that the women withhold this information to even the playing field of relationship status between husband and wife. The men “know” it all, don’t find the evidence, and are head of house. The women actually know what happen, keep their friend safe, and remain looked at like a step stool. An interesting perspective that the reader get the chance to