Trifles Gender Analysis

There was a time that the world wholly believed males dominated females. This notion had resulted in the adjectives superior, stronger, and smarter to be attributed to men since the very beginning of time. History has shown that women were merely housewives and property of their significant others. Despite being viewed as second-class citizens for much of time, women are being empowered more than ever before and continue to acquire major roles in society that were once limited to men. Having been written in the 19th and early 20th century, it is to no astonishment that the fictional female characters in these literary works and film are subject to scrutiny and forms of belittlement. In the texts, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, “Trifles”, and as well …show more content…
With the exception of the widowed, Minnie Wright, the women in the play do not have first names. This detail reflects on the idea of women merely being property to their husbands. The play revolves around the murder investigation of farmer, John Wright, who “died of a rope round his neck” (Glaspell 1007). While the men examine the crime scene, their wives collect items for Mrs. Wright, who is being held as a suspect at the local prison. As time passes, the women reflect back on the type of person Minnie was as a young girl prior to her marriage. They remembered her “wearing pretty clothes and [being] lively” with a beautiful voice that was heard in the choir years ago (Glaspell 1009). A neighbor of the Wright’s, Mrs. Hale comments that she knew Minnie was unhappy with her marriage and often kept to herself. The women then find evidence in the house that could be very useful in the conviction, with the most noteworthy being Mrs. Wright’s beloved pet bird that appears to have been strangled. Although, the women hide the evidence, we can make the assumption that John Wright killed the singing bird out of anger as he also prevented Minnie from singing. Unlike the other works, “Trifles” not only displays the husband’s opinion of his wife, but also from the local townsmen. The men tease the women by saying they are “used to worrying over trifles” such as Mrs. Wright’s fruit preserves and quilt (Glaspell …show more content…
The expectation to sacrifice their happiness and well-being at the demand of their husbands following the loss of authority in their households is exceptionally clear. As if history was repeating itself, the female roles are compelled to be largely associated with the idea of housework and managing domestic affairs. Not to mention, while these women’s marriages are on the verge of crumbling, they are susceptible to the offensive and degrading opinions from oppressive