TRIFLES by Susan Glaspell pdf-1

Trifles Overview

• Playwright: Susan Glaspell

• Year: 1916

• Type: One-act play

• Public Domain: Yes, can be performed without royalties.

Characters

• George Henderson: County Attorney

• Henry Peters: Sheriff

• Lewis Hale: Neighboring farmer

• Mrs. Peters: Sheriff’s wife

• Mrs. Hale: Neighbor of Mrs. Wright

Act I

Scene Description

• The play starts in the Wright household where George Henderson (the County Attorney) and Henry Peters (the Sheriff) discuss the investigation of John Wright's death.

Setting

• Weather: Cold, dropping to below zero.

• Ambience: The characters gather around a stove for warmth, emphasizing the coldness outside and the isolation of the rural setting.

Investigation Details

• Arrival of Hale: He recounts his visit to the Wright household the previous day, seeking John Wright regarding a party telephone.

• Mrs. Wright's Behavior: Upon entering, Mrs. Wright is described as ‘queer’ and unresponsive, looking dull and detached.

• Discovery of John Wright: Hale recalls Mrs. Wright indicating John was dead, with the cause being a rope around his neck.

Important Elements of the Investigation

Evidence Discussion

• The County Attorney questions Hale about the events after discovering Mrs. Wright is alone in the house.

• Mrs. Wright’s Calmness: Even after discovering her husband's body, she exhibits a sense of calmness which confuses the men.

• The Attorney considers what evidence may point to motive or signs of struggle.

Gender Dynamics

• The men’s dismissive attitudes toward women are highlighted as they focus on physical evidence, belittling the nuances of women’s experiences and domestic concerns.

Symbolism and Foreshadowing

Domestic Items as Symbols

• The play emphasizes everyday items and tasks, often trivialized, as significant indicators of Mrs. Wright's life and struggles as a woman.

The Quilt

• Condition of Sewing: Mrs. Hale observes that the sewing is inconsistent, hinting at Mrs. Wright's emotional state and turmoil.

• Women's Intuition: Hale and Mrs. Peters note that women often worry about trinkets like preserves while profound trauma remains overlooked by men.

Themes

Isolation and Loneliness

• Mrs. Wright is portrayed as isolated, which may be a contributing factor to the tragedy.

Gender Roles

• The play challenges traditional gender roles, showing how women’s domestic lives and emotions are often minimized in male-centered narratives.

Justice and Moral Responsibility

• The nature of justice is questioned, particularly regarding how the law treats women in contrast to men.

Climax - The Bird

• Findings: The discovery of a dead canary wrapped in satin highlights the underlying themes of oppression and loss of joy in Mrs. Wright's life.

• Symbolism of the Bird: Represents Mrs. Wright’s lost happiness and freedom; its death mirrors John Wright’s control over her life.

Conclusion

• Note the contrasting views of men and women within the play, showcasing a deep understanding of the domestic space significant to women’s experiences while critiquing the male-dominant perspectives in law enforcement.

• Final Message: "We all go through the same things, it’s all just a different kind of the same thing.” This sentiment encapsulates the shared experiences of women, emphasizing empathy and understanding among them.

Background Analysis of the World of "Trifles"

Playwright: Susan Glaspell

• Who is she?Susan Glaspell (1876-1948) was an American playwright, novelist, and essayist known for her contributions to early 20th-century American theater. She co-founded the Provincetown Players, a theater group that focused on producing original plays and promoting new literary talent.

• Why/When did she write the play?"Trifles" was written in 1916, during a period when women were fighting for their rights and the suffrage movement was gaining momentum. Glaspell wrote this play after covering a murder trial for a local newspaper, which exposed her to the complexities and injustices surrounding women's lives in a male-dominated society.

Time Period of the Play

• When does the play take place?The play is set in the early 20th century, around the time it was written (circa 1910s). Evidence of this can be seen in the characters' attitudes, gender dynamics, and references to domestic items and technologies of the era, such as the telephone and stove.

Setting

• Where does the play take place?The action of "Trifles" takes place in the Wright household, located in a rural area of the Midwest, likely implied to be in Iowa, where Glaspell was from.

  • Whose house?The house belongs to John and Minnie Wright.

  • Town/State/Country?There are indications that the setting is small-town America, reflecting the isolation of rural life.

Social World

• Societal Beliefs/TraditionsThe play showcases the societal norms of the time, emphasizing rigid gender roles. Men's opinions dominate societal discourses, and women are often seen as lesser contributors, confined to their domestic responsibilities.

Political World

• Wars, Politics, LawsAt the time of the play's writing, the United States was on the verge of World War I, and the women's suffrage movement was prominent. Laws about women's rights, particularly regarding domestic violence and personal autonomy, were minimal. Glaspell critiques these societal norms through the lens of her characters' experiences.

Economic World

• Surrounding Economic ConditionsThe economic atmosphere features the struggles of rural farmers in the Midwest, indicating a working-class lifestyle. Economic hardship is symbolized through the characters' concerns about their domestic lives and the significant impact of John's death on Minnie Wright's financial security and well-being.

Conclusion

In "Trifles," Glaspell intricately weaves together the social, political, and economic environments of her time, illustrating the profound impact of these factors on the lives of women and their often overlooked experiences within a patriarchal framework.

The play "Trifles" is set in the Wright household, belonging to John and Minnie Wright, in a rural area of the Midwest, likely Iowa, reflecting the isolation of small-town America. The action unfolds in their home, illustrating how the geographical and social settings influence the characters' experiences within a patriarchal society.