Symbolism in Glaspell's "trifles"

Symbolism in Glaspell's "Trifles"

In today's society, we generally view upon everyone as equal beings who deserve equal rights. At the turn of the 20th century, this particular view didn't exist. Men clearly dominated almost every aspect of life and women were often left with little importance. The Wright's embody this view of roles in Susan Glaspell's play Trifles. Mrs. Wright was a typical woman who suffered the mental abuse from her husband and was caged from life. In Trifles, a mixture of symbolism of oppression illustrates Mrs. Minnie Wright's motives to kill her husband and to escape from imprisonment.

In the play, the setting takes place in an "abandoned" and "gloomy" farmhouse out in the country. Almost immediately does the reader get the impression that it is a very secluded and cold place. The coldness of the setting in many ways resembles the aloofness of Mr. Wright who is described as "hard man" and "a raw wind that gets to the bone." Most of the play revolves around the women and the kitchen. While the men scramble throughout the house looking for evidence or hints of a motive for death, the women stumble upon the entire mystery while remaining at the place where they were told to remain and gather items Mrs. Wright. The kitchen too seems like a remote place and much resembles the marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Wright. The kitchen is the spot where Mrs. Wright (and most women of the time) spent most of their time in. Like the cage to the canary, she feels imprisoned in the kitchen and she feels compelled to escape by any means. Her break out is executed at the expense of Mr. Wright's life.

In the play, the county attorney stumbles upon Mrs. Wright's preserves. Due to the frigid temperature, most of her preserves held in glass jars had broken. Only one jar - a jar of cherries - manages to survive. The fruit possess much symbolism as well. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters feel very sorry that Mrs. Wright had spent much "hard work in the hot weather" in order to have her preserves. She had saved the fruit so that one day she could enjoy them. However, this was not the case. All of her hard labor was shattered as a result of the temperature. Similarly, Mrs. Wright was shattered by her husband killing her canary bird. The broken jars and spoiled fruit also resemble Mrs. Wright. They are both contained in this "cold" atmosphere and sooner or later break. The one jar of cherries that manages to survive suggests Mrs. Wright's character. Despite all the negative influences around her, she will not meet her demise and she has to do the only thing that would keep her from vanishing- that is, murdering Mr. Wright.

Much like the kitchen, the birdcage is also used as a symbol for Mrs. Wright. In the play, Mrs. Peters finds the birdcage empty. The two ladies also find that the cage's door hinge is pulled apart. The ladies conclude that someone had "been rough with it." The cage in the play suggests many things. A cage signifies imprisonment and captivity. This easily fits within the play and represents the confinement