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Theme Of Women In Trifles

Decent Essays

In Susan Glaspell’s 1916 play Trifles, the death of John Wright starts an investigation by the County Attorney and Sheriff to determine the guilt or innocence of Minnie Wright. Through the cold superiority shown by John Wright towards his wife, Minnie, and the blatant disregard by the County Attorney and Sheriff on their wives’ attentions, inequality is displayed as a major theme in Trifles. Arguably, if women were considered equal to men during this time period, the murder and events following it would had never occurred.
One example of this is the oppressive nature of John Wright. John Wright’s constant isolation from friends and such, imposed on Minnie, drove her to murder. His place as her husband gave him the power to control and decide to forcibly end anything that had brought joy into Minnie’s life. For instance, in the beginning of the play, one of the first things learned is that John Wright was a cold and distant man. Mr. Hale, the Wright’s neighbor, states how John was uninterested in taking part in a neighborhood party line, saying how “folks talked too much anyway, and all [John] asked was peace and quiet…” (____). John never considered his wife, Minnie’s, opinion. Another peculiarity the ladies discussed is how Minnie never belonged to the Ladies Aid, or any other social activities. They comment on the fact that before she was married to John, Minnie was quite active and joyful, “She used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was Minnie Foster, one

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