Introduction
The play Trifles presents critical views of men and women and their roles as perceived in early twentieth-century society. The plot takes place in the kitchen of the Wright family home, where the county attorney, sheriff, Wright’s neighbor, and sheriff’s and neighbor’s wives come after Mr. Wright’s murder (Glaspell 979). Despite the prevailing opinion in the society of the time of the play that men are more intelligent and more attentive, the play demonstrates that women have high intelligence and should not be underestimated.
Discussion
The presentation of men and women in the play is significantly different. Men laugh at women’s attention to things like preserves or quilts, calling them insignificant. Wright’s Neighbor Hale says, “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles” (Glaspell 982). Men overlook the details that are obvious to women, which can be helpful for the investigation of the murder. Notably, the women see the dead canary, which pushes them to the conclusion about the murder.
Nevertheless, women also differ in their attitudes to gender roles. Mrs. Peters, the sheriff’s wife, claims that the men know their jobs and wish not to interfere. Mrs. Hale, in turn, quickly believes that Mrs. Wright killed her husband as a reaction to cruelty to her and the bird and expresses regret that she did not help (Glaspell 988). Men are presented as superficial and inattentive, and women are more patient and attentive, but with a contrasting assessment of their gender roles.
Readers’ attitudes toward gender roles can influence reading the play. For example, those with more patriarchal views would share a dismissive stance on women’s experiences. Readers who support equality, in turn, would be surprised by such neglect. More radical individuals of women would probably be angered by many aspects of male behavior, such as remarks about Mrs. Wright’s housekeeping (Glaspell 982). Consequently, distinguishing gender expectations can influence the play’s perception and understanding.
Conclusion
Thus, the play Trifle criticizes the view of gender roles of the early twentieth century. It presents men as dismissive and skeptical of the power of women. In turn, women are more attentive and careful, seeing details that other characters may not notice (Glaspell 989). The trifles to which men, because of their beliefs in gender roles, do not give due attention lead women to solve the murder and the possibility of hiding it out of solidarity. Expectations of specific gender roles can affect the perception of the play’s readers.
Work Cited
Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles.” SoarNorthCountry, Web.