Mrs. Hale's Portrayal Of Women In Trifles
The theme of “Trifles” is women are neglected every day in society in the 1900s, as shown by the men’s interaction with Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale throughout the story. At the beginning of the story, the court attorney and sheriff consider women as simply the cleaners of the house. “‘Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?’” When the court attorney said this, he was attacking Mrs. Wright’s self worth, as Mrs. Hale counteracts by saying, “There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm.” By attacking on her abilities to run a house, he implied that women were meant for the maintaining the house, and if they “fail” to do such, their character is question and joked upon. Once the sheriff and the court attorney start investigating the
room, the two women find a bird cage and the dead bird. Looking at the bird, Mrs. Hale said, “I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be—for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things—it's all just a different kind of the same thing.” By stating what women go through in every marriage at the time, she explained how women go through the neglection of their husband, and that their identity is solely found through their husband. Mrs. Wright bought the canary as a companion, due to the drift between her and her husband. However, Mr. Wright supposedly killed the canary, which symbolized Mr. Wright’s neglect for his wife’s identity. Even the title of the play explains the stereotype of women at the time. “Trifles” implies that women only care about the trivial things, instead the big picture. Throughout the story, the court attorney mocks what the women draw attention to, such as the quilt. Therefore, the title itself mocks what a woman considers important. Thus, the theme of “Trifles” is women were neglected in society in the 1900s.
room, the two women find a bird cage and the dead bird. Looking at the bird, Mrs. Hale said, “I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be—for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things—it's all just a different kind of the same thing.” By stating what women go through in every marriage at the time, she explained how women go through the neglection of their husband, and that their identity is solely found through their husband. Mrs. Wright bought the canary as a companion, due to the drift between her and her husband. However, Mr. Wright supposedly killed the canary, which symbolized Mr. Wright’s neglect for his wife’s identity. Even the title of the play explains the stereotype of women at the time. “Trifles” implies that women only care about the trivial things, instead the big picture. Throughout the story, the court attorney mocks what the women draw attention to, such as the quilt. Therefore, the title itself mocks what a woman considers important. Thus, the theme of “Trifles” is women were neglected in society in the 1900s.