Trifles+Analysis

=//Trifles// Analysis=

Analysis It appears quite obvious that women weren’t shown any respect by the male characters. Men’s ignorance regarding the capabilities of women was a considerable subject during this period. Many women writers, as well as a few male writers, capitalized on this common issue and wrote about it extensively, making it a considerable element of modernism literature. While many writers wrote more blatant work depicting women as strong challengers of the stereotype during this period, Susan Glaspell took a considerably modest approach to the idea. Not only was Glaspell successful at depicting women as a capable and sufficient sex she bluntly displayed women’s edge over men in the idea that they are more aware of the fine details that men consider trivial or “trifles”. The female characters in “Trifles” weren’t the complete opposite of the stereotypical women during this period. Both women behaved in a rather subservient manner towards their husbands. In this manner the women proved to themselves, rather than their husbands, of their abilities and worth. Because of this, it is obvious that Glaspell wasn’t making a blatant and obvious statement about women but a rather modest one. Glaspell’s modesty makes her an extremely realistic writer concerned with portraying women in a unpretentious manner rather than an overtly dominant one. The women’s subservient manner can be seen consistently throughout “Trifles”. For instance, at the beginning of the play the women become upset and bothered by the men’s comments regarding Mrs. Wright’s failures as a housekeeper. Neither of the women were close friends of Mrs. Wright so there isn’t an obvious explanation for the resentment they felt. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale became offended by the comments because it was something they could relate to. Every married woman during this period was bound by social expectations regarding their responsibilities around the house. They were to keep a clean and organized home, and when they didn’t they were deemed inferior, which is proven by the men’s reaction to the homes appearance. Women were also bound by social expectations regarding their demeanor. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, although annoyed and offended, reacted in a suitable manner, given the stereotypical identity and expectations typical for women during this period. Mrs. Hale gave a weak attempt of defending Mrs. Wright, stating, “There’s a great deal of work to be done on a farm.” However, neither woman fully expressed their annoyance of the situation. To do so would lead to their being judged by the male characters, just as Mrs. Wright was judged because of the appearance of her house. It is issues such as these, real and substantial, that found its home in modernism literature. World War I, the Depression, and Women’s Liberation played a large role during this period. And while most works dedicated to women’s issues focused much on portraying the situation for what it was, Glaspell went a step further when she created “Trifles”. “Trifles”, as a work, honestly depicts the situation, which is key to modernism literature; while at the same time takes a real, yet quite, stance for women.