A Jury Of Her Peers Critical Analysis

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“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell is a short story that encompasses all positive aspects of literary fiction; with its consistent tone, setting and theme, it is able to prove to audiences throughout the world that women’s oppression is still evident in society. Although the story was written in the late 1800s to early 1900s, it feels as if it is more recent because it hits so close to home. Therefore, Glaspell’s use of very different female characters shows that the stereotypes that women are so often placed into do not cause them to be unintelligent or inferior to men; instead this strong sense of misogyny allows them to overcome man’s subordination. Martha Hale is the first and most vocal character introduced to the audience. She …show more content…

Although she is never seen directly, (the closest the audience comes to meeting her is in Mr. Hale’s testimony) she is the strongest female in the entire story. Murder is not a thing that should be heavily condoned, but the fact that she was able to do such a thing says a lot about her strength and character. We learn the most about her through Martha, an old friend of Minnie’s, who states that “she used to wear pretty clothes and be lively—when she was Minnie Foster” (6). The fact that Martha mentions that she “was Minnie Foster” instead of “is Minnie Foster” shows not just the fact that she was married, but also that with her marriage she lost herself. When Mr. Hale is recounting the scene of the crime, he states, “I had come in to see if John wanted to put in a telephone; and at that she started to laugh, and then she stopped and looked at me—scared” (4). Minnie likely knew her husband better than anyone else; while Mr. Hale knows that John was never a fan of the telephone, but the amount of which he despised rambling was known only by his wife; the thought of him wanting a telephone was so ridiculous it made her laugh during a somber subject. This is the first glimpse of her probable abuse; the next arrives when the two women in the house discover the dead songbird. Martha remembers …show more content…

Oppression is still real and women are still being victimized verbally, physically, and sexually. Glaspell is not stating that murder is the only option when dealing with abusive men; instead, a woman should simply stand up for herself. Leading one’s self to become so depressed that it leads to hateful thoughts is a danger to one’s self and others. Women must leave or inform another person of the situation before it reaches that extent, but women have to be there for each other for that to work. Otherwise they will end up like Martha, indirectly just as guilty as Minnie’s husband for her downward

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