Minnie Wright in the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell and the Narrator in the short story “They Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman relate to each other through the oppressive lifestyles that they live caused by their controlling husbands. Both women are secluded from society by their husbands but for different reasons. In both Trifles and the “Yellow Wallpaper” one can see that there is a strict divide between female characters and male characters. In both stories, the women attempt to escape their oppression, but with negative outcomes. The main contrast is that Minnie uses a direct assault against her husband, she is proactive in her fight against oppression while the Narrator retreats into her own delusion. The outcome of their struggles differ.
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Peters, the sheriff and Mr. Hale, a neighboring farmer begin to look for the motive around the house to prove that Minnie Wright was the one who killed Mr. Wright. During this, they show their superiority and disregard towards Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Hale, and Minnie Wright. “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles” (3). This was said by Mr. Hale towards his wife and Mrs. Peters. Then Mr. Henderson says, “And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say ladies?” (3). Mrs. Hale responds very stiffly, “There’s a great deal of work to be done a farm” (3). From this information, it is apparent that the men believe that women are always worrying over the little things that are unimportant, trifles. This quote also goes to show that the men take the women for granted. They don’t appreciate the work that the women do around the house. Mrs. Hale is trying to get the men to understand however, that women are very important and they do a lot throughout the house and in this case for Minnie, the farm. The women see the unfinished housework as a sign of her state of
In …show more content…
Peters, the sheriff and Mr. Hale, a neighboring farmer begin to look for the motive around the house to prove that Minnie Wright was the one who killed Mr. Wright. During this, they show their superiority and disregard towards Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Hale, and Minnie Wright. “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles” (3). This was said by Mr. Hale towards his wife and Mrs. Peters. Then Mr. Henderson says, “And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say ladies?” (3). Mrs. Hale responds very stiffly, “There’s a great deal of work to be done a farm” (3). From this information, it is apparent that the men believe that women are always worrying over the little things that are unimportant, trifles. This quote also goes to show that the men take the women for granted. They don’t appreciate the work that the women do around the house. Mrs. Hale is trying to get the men to understand however, that women are very important and they do a lot throughout the house and in this case for Minnie, the farm. The women see the unfinished housework as a sign of her state of