What Are The Symbols In Trifles By Susan Glaspell

Personal experiences are often portrayed by symbols such as objects,actions, or events in writing. For example, in the playwright Trifles by Susan Glaspell key ideas and characters are represented and developed through the use of symbols. The play starts off with the tragic news of Mr.Wright's death and the search for the truth of who did it. Through out the play the women are left downstairs to gather things for Mrs.Wright while the men go up stairs to the crime scene. As Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale go through the Wright's belongings they come upon evidence that reveals certain key points about the Wright's marriage and life together. One of the unexpected things they discover is the dead canary in Mrs.Wright's sewing box. The canary is one of the symbols used to help develop Mr. and Mrs. Wright's characters through out the play. The canary is also a representation of Mrs. Wright's life before and after marrying Mr.Wright. The use of symbols helps the reader discover the characteristics and personalities of the two characters.
A bird is a representation of happiness and freedom, as it soars through the sky carelessly and freely.
Birds are beautiful creatures of nature, each different in their own way. The uniqueness of their appearance helps people identify what type of birds they are. By identifying the bird, people discover what it eats, what it's known for and it's lifestyle. The canary in Trifles is a lively,bright yellow bird that sings. Just like the canary Mrs.Wright was a cheerful, well dressed and put together woman. A woman capable of attracting many admirers. Mrs. Wright lived a happy and joyful life singing songs through out the day. Although she was full of life, things completely changed for her when she married
Mr.Wright. Mr.Wright is portrayed as the antagonist of the play even though his wife murdered him. The discussion between Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale when they found the dead canary with a wrung neck in Mrs.Wright's sewing box helps the reader make the assumption of Mr. Wright making his wife unhappy. Although the reader discovers that Mr.Wright made his wife unhappy it wasn't until he or she discovered that Mr.Wright was the one who killed the canary. Mr. Wright killing the canary symbolizes the way he killed Mrs. Wright's lively spirit. After their marriage, she no longer sang, dressed the way she did, or seemed happy at all. The way Mr.Wright was murdered has some irony to it as it was the way he killed the Canary. Mr.Wright was found dead with a wrung neck as well. In the beginning of the play the reader is not provided with the information that is later gathered through the usage of symbols. The lack of information causes the reader to feel pity for Mr.Wright and put blame on Mrs.Wright. Later in the play the two women at the crime scene help develop Mr. and Mrs. Wright's characters as they uncover evidence the men overlooked. The reader learns the life the couple lived and the personalities of each. In the end, Mrs. Wright's reasons for killing her husband are justified through all the evidence acquired.