Gender Differences In Susan Glaspell's Trifles

Though the division of men and women has changed over the course of history, the effect of the initial divide can still be felt in today’s society and at the time in which Trifles, by Susan Glaspell, was written. People still hold the belief that female labor and the space is less than that of a man’s, which is why Glaspell’s work remains relevant. Men and women are divided by qualities that have no importance on their personal character. However, it is important to note the difference in how they see the world, due to the oppression of women and the role that they have been placed in. During the time that Trifles was published, women were not allowed to do the same work as men, as they were forced to do household duties and tend to the children …show more content…
Sewing was a woman’s task, so it is safe to assume that the men would never think to look at something like the pattern in a quilt. Mrs. Hale is the one who notices the uneven stitching in Mrs. Wright’s quilt, which one can assume that she has experienced when she was not exactly focused on her task. It is interesting to see how a woman’s insight on such a task can lead them to figuring out the mental state of another person. Yi-chin Shih writes, “Because of gender differences and the men’s sexist attitude, which looks down upon women’s everyday trifles, the men cannot find evidence or motive.” Here, is where the reader sees the importance of the female gaze. The men act so high and mighty with themselves that they cannot even see why the help of these women would benefit their case. The women have already figured out more than the men, and they have not even stepped foot in the room where the crime took place. It is also interesting to note that had these women not been forced into this domestic circle by men, they may not have found as much evidence that they did. Both Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale know what it is like to be a woman in this time period, so they share similar backgrounds and have experienced oppression. The struggle is what brings them together, which leads them to understanding Mrs. Wright’s struggle. The men do not understand this struggle; therefore, they will not analyze the things …show more content…
Wright’s character, but they also discuss Mr. Wright. Mrs. Hale says, “But he was a hard man, Mrs. Peters. Just to pass the time of day with him--[Shivers.] Like a raw wind that gets to the bone” (Glaspell, 264). The female gaze is not only important when assessing another female character, but also a male’s character. Mrs. Hale also says, “he didn’t drink, and kept his word as well as most, I guess, and paid his debts” (Glaspell, 264), which shows that she does know of his character. There is also a sense that both women know that John Wright liked to be isolated from others. Wright was regarded as a good man, even though he was isolated from everyone else, but his wife, who was in the place as him, was seen as someone who did not communicate with the outside world. Mrs. Hale even says, “I wish I had come over sometimes when she was here” (Glaspell, 263), because she knew that John had isolated both himself and his wife. “Usually considered as women’s sphere, home can be a place of abuse and drudgery” (Shih). Mrs. Wright being isolated has had an impact on her mental health. Her husband refusing to share a telephone line pushed her even more into isolation, disconnecting her from the outside world. The attorney, sheriff, and Hale would not see it this way, however. Seeing women working at home in a limited space looks normal to them. Mrs. Hale was not blind to Mrs. Wright’s isolation. She knew it was not a cheerful place, but she