Trifles By Susan Glaspell Gender Roles

Gender roles constitute the attitudes and behaviors that are expected of males and females in a given culture of society. It is these gender roles that give the impact of gender inequality amongst the male and the female sex. The assumptions that men have about women lead to conflicts in the play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell. The conflicts between Minnie Wright and John Wright, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters and the male and female characters demonstrate the struggle men and women in the play “Trifles.” The most obvious conflict in the play is between Mrs. Wright, and her husband. Mr Wright killed Mrs. Wright’s bird which was a symbol of herself. Minnie felt like she was not safe and became angry because he was once again taking away something that she loved. As a result, Mrs. Wright murders her husband. Throughout the play, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters reflect on the Wright’s marriage. They remember her happiness before she was married and how much Minnie had to conform to her husbands dominant ways. For example, Mrs. Hale says, "She used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was Minnie Foster, one of the town girls …show more content…
Hale and Mrs. Peters when they have to consider whether to give up the information they know because both women are married to figures of authority. It is expected that their first and only choice would be to report to the authorities. Both women started out at different ends of the spectrum. Mrs. Hale was headstrong throughout the whole play. She identified with Minnie, wanted to help her and was willing to protect her at any cost. Although Mrs. Peters understood Minnie’s difficult life, she did not feel comfortable withholding evidence because she was “married to the law.” After the women discovered the dead bird and the reason for Minnie murdering her husband, they banded together to conceal evidence. Thus breaking free from the expectations the men had of them of being insignificant and