Trifles By Susan Glaspell

Trifles, written by Susan Glaspell, presents many overarching themes and ideas throughout the course of the play. These themes are shown through symbols that add to the overall depth of the story. There are many themes and symbols that play important roles in the story; however, there is one prominent theme and one protuberant symbol that seems to dominate the entirety of the Susan Glaspell, author of “Trifles,” maximizes the use of the setting by incorporating the complex elements of the physical setting, the rough winter season, and the patriarchal period in which the plot plays out to reveal insight into her characters and to move her plot along. The characters quickly allude to the superiority of the man; whereas, Mr. Hale reveals that Mr. Wright does not care about Minnie’s opinion, the county attorney consistently patronizes Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, and Mrs. Peters is told that, as a sheriff’s wife, she “is married to the law” (Glaspell).
Wright. As the scene opens, the men are rushing past the women to warm themselves by the fire. The bitter cold not only depicts the frigid marriage the Wrights share but also Mr. Wright’s demeanor with Mr. and Mrs. Hale; as well as, Minnie’s lack of emotion over her husband’s demise. The bursting of the frozen fruit jars mimic Mrs. Wright’s mind when she starts chuckling as she tells Mr. Hale that her husband is dead. Similarly, the lifeless winter symbolizes the lifeless bodies of Mr. Wright and the bird. Lastly, the physical setting of the kitchen reveals the oppressed life Minnie lived. From the shabby clothes that reveal to the reader that she was not valued to the untied pieces of quilt that represent an unfulfilled life, the setting spins Glaspell’s