Drama Essay Example "Trifles"
Angel Parrett
Professor Muller
English 106/ Drama Essay
15 May 2006
Drama Essay
Trifles
Trifles, Susan Glaspell’s play written in 1916, reveal concerns of women living in a male dominated society. Glaspell communicates the role that women were expected to play in late 19th century society and the harm that can come of it to women, as well as men. The feminist agenda of Trifles was made obvious, in order to portray the lives of all women who live oppressed under male domination. John and Minnie Wright are two main characters who are never seen; however provide the incident for the play. In this play women are against men, Minnie against her husband, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters against their husband’s, as well as men in general. The men are arrogant and insensitive, while the women are sympathetic, as well as understanding and forgive Minnie for the murder of her husband. Trifles clearly addresses gender issues, emphasizing the oppression of women who lose their identity after marriage. This is depicted in the interactions between Mrs. Hale, the male characters, and Mrs. Peters. The play takes place in Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s abandon farm house, which is located down a hollow out of view from the road (1006). The setting is lonely and cold, which signifies Minnie Wright’s feelings (lonely) and describes John Wright’s character (cold). Mrs. Hale, the Wright’s neighbor states, “I’ve never liked this place. Maybe because it’s down in a hollow and you don’t see the road” (1006). This leads the reader to believe that Minnie was lonely and isolated. Mrs. Hale also states, “….he was a hard man, just to pass the time of day with him (shivers). Like a raw wind that gets to the bone.” This statement was describing a character trait of Mr. Wright; he was thought of as cold. Again Mrs. Hale makes another statement in regards to Mrs. Wright’s surroundings saying, “It never seemed a very cheerful place” (1003). All of these statements speak of how
Professor Muller
English 106/ Drama Essay
15 May 2006
Drama Essay
Trifles
Trifles, Susan Glaspell’s play written in 1916, reveal concerns of women living in a male dominated society. Glaspell communicates the role that women were expected to play in late 19th century society and the harm that can come of it to women, as well as men. The feminist agenda of Trifles was made obvious, in order to portray the lives of all women who live oppressed under male domination. John and Minnie Wright are two main characters who are never seen; however provide the incident for the play. In this play women are against men, Minnie against her husband, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters against their husband’s, as well as men in general. The men are arrogant and insensitive, while the women are sympathetic, as well as understanding and forgive Minnie for the murder of her husband. Trifles clearly addresses gender issues, emphasizing the oppression of women who lose their identity after marriage. This is depicted in the interactions between Mrs. Hale, the male characters, and Mrs. Peters. The play takes place in Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s abandon farm house, which is located down a hollow out of view from the road (1006). The setting is lonely and cold, which signifies Minnie Wright’s feelings (lonely) and describes John Wright’s character (cold). Mrs. Hale, the Wright’s neighbor states, “I’ve never liked this place. Maybe because it’s down in a hollow and you don’t see the road” (1006). This leads the reader to believe that Minnie was lonely and isolated. Mrs. Hale also states, “….he was a hard man, just to pass the time of day with him (shivers). Like a raw wind that gets to the bone.” This statement was describing a character trait of Mr. Wright; he was thought of as cold. Again Mrs. Hale makes another statement in regards to Mrs. Wright’s surroundings saying, “It never seemed a very cheerful place” (1003). All of these statements speak of how