Susan Glaspell\'s Play, Trifles, Mrs.

¶ … Susan Glaspell's play, Trifles, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale decide to destroy he evidence pointing to Mr. Wright's murder because they know just by looking around the house, the couple was not living in harmony. Glaspell uses things only women would recognize to allow evidence to unfold, pointing to a dreadful situation. While the men are busy being men and investigating the crime scene, they overlook all the glaring pieces of evidence. They are, however, too astute to see these things because theya re not like women who worry "over trifles" (Glaspell 1117). As a result, they miss the loaf of bread that is misplaced and the quilt that is not sewed very good" (1121). Glaspell lays out the wedded hell in plain view but men and women will always see things differently and this is why they decide to take matters into their own hands. Had the men discovered the truth, they would never have understood why Mrs. Wright did what she did.

At the end of the Glass Menagerie, Tom does feel guilt about leaving his family. He is particularly concerned about Laura but, in the end, he feels there is nothing he can do for her. While do not know what exactly happens to Laura at the end of the play, we are certain she will emerge a better person because of what happens to her. She has grown up in this play, she has learned she is stronger than anyone thought she was "just like all the other horses" (Williams 1018). The broken unicorn does not crush her sprit; instead, the looks at it differently saying, the blowing out of the candles signifies the end of her childhood innocence. It also represents Tom leaving and the gentleman callers which will never arrive. The words on the page are powerful as Williams uses symbolism to emphasize moods. Viewing the play with the plays of light and shadows would be a delight because we could see the characters moving in and out of darkness.