Susan Glaspell's Trifles

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Freedom is constantly denied to women, but they continue to long for it even if they have never truly experienced it. In Trifles by Susan Glaspell, Mrs. Wright is suspected of murdering her husband, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters observe and investigate her motives. While Doree did not have much support when dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy, Mrs. Wright actions are silently supported by both Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters after learning of how trapped and isolated she truly was. For example, "I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. [Pause.] No, Wright wouldn't like the bird--a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too...If there'd been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful--still, after the bird was still" (Glaspell). …show more content…

Wright's isolation, her lack of children compensated by only a bird. Then, her husband, Mr. Wright, extinguishes her passion for singing and kills her only source of company and solace. Although they were not close friends, the women protect Mrs. Wirght because they recognize and relate to the suffering that she experienced in her marriage. In the same way as Maggie, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are outsiders but quickly assess the signs that indicate an abusive relationship and try to help in the best way they can. Also similar is that their help comes a little too late to save Doree and Mrs. Wright from the extreme consequences that accompany isolation. Maya Angelou's timeless poem Caged Bird, perfectly captures the constant struggle and yearning for freedom that women experience. Angelou explores the idea of freedom being a natural occurrence that cannot be suppressed despite isolation or oppression. As can be seen in Doree's case when she makes the decision to separate herself from Lloyd during an argument and when she refuses to board the bus

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  • Critical Analysis Of Trifles

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    Wright was described as a beautiful women filled with such joy and life until she married John Wright. Mrs. Peter’s and Mrs. Hale feels sorry for her because her husband treated her so bad. Due to female bonding and sympathy, the two women, becoming detectives, finds the truth and hides it from the men. The play shows you that emotions can play a part in your judgement. Mrs. Peter’s and Mrs. Hale felt sorry that Mrs. Wright had one to keep her company no kids and she was always left alone at home. “yes good; he didn’t drink, and kept his word as well as most, I guess, and paid his debt. But he was a hard man, Mrs. Peters just to pass the time of day with him. Like a raw wind that goes to the bone. I should of think she would have wanted a bird. But what you suppose went with it?” Later on in the play the women find out what happens to the bird. The bird was killed the same way Mrs. Wright husband which leads to the motive of why he was killed. Mrs. Wright was just like the bird beautiful but caged no freedom not being able to live a life of her own. Always stuck in the shadows of her husband being told what to do and

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