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The Understanding of Women in Trifles
In Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles," the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, seem to understand each other with ease despite not discussing the circumstances of the case directly. The story is a powerful commentary on gender roles and the isolation of women in rural communities. There is evidence of foreshadowing in the story that hints at why the wives might be sympathetic to Minnie Wright and what experiences in their own lives would help them relate.
Minnie Wright, a victim of spousal abuse in the play, has been isolated and oppressed by her husband. Through subtle details in the play, such as the lack of basic necessities in her home and her sewing materials, the audience is able to grasp the depth of Minnie's loneliness and isolation. Along with the bird, these clues indicate that Minnie is likely experiencing abuse from her husband, a fact that is later confirmed by the women. As Jawad notes, they recognize domestic violence when they see itand they see it in the shell of a home/marriage set before them.
Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are both wives, and their experiences as married women would help them understand and relate to Minnie's situation. The two women know how important it is to keep secrets in a marriage and the unspoken codes of conduct...…understand and sympathize with Minnie's situation, and they ultimately choose to cover for her in the end. Whereas Trifles uses humor to convey the subtext, Jury is more straight-laced about it.
In conclusion, the women in "Trifles" are able to understand each other without discussing the circumstances of the case because of their shared experiences as wives and the subtle clues in the play that foreshadow Minnie's situation. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters' decision to cover for Minnie was an act of resistance against the oppressive systems in society that perpetuate the abuse and isolation of women. "Trifles" and "A Jury of Her Peers" both highlight the importance of female solidarity and the power of women…
Works Cited
Guswanto, Doni, and Lailatul Husna. "Psychological Conflict Between Men and Women in
Susan Glaspell’s Trifles." Jurnal Ilmiah Langue and Parole 2.2 (2019): 26-35.
Jawad, Enas Jaafar. "The Dilemma of Domestic Violence in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles." Journal of
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