Women have historically been victims of male oppression and violence. The law favored males and often ignored the difficulties that women faced. According to Angel, “the law allowed possessive and hostile men to abuse women” (3). As a result, women could only depend on one another. Because they were victims of the patriarchal system, they knew what other women were going through. Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles is a notable literary masterpiece on the struggles and duties of women in society. Women were expected to fulfill household responsibilities and gratify males, regardless of their preferences and needs. This caused women to be depressed, despondent, and abusive, driving them over the line. Mrs. Wright, for example, is a victim of abuse; she perseveres for a time, but her husband eventually pushes her over the line, and she murders him. The authorities are notified and arrive to investigate. Mrs. Wright’s friends try to conceal information from the Sheriff because they empathize with her and understand her motivations. Trifles by Susan Glaspell is a stunning depiction of the value of female friendship, bonding, and teamwork. She investigates how gender inequality practices marginalize and undervalue women.
Women are subjugated and oppressed by patriarchal institutions. Women are thought to be stupid. Susan states in the play that male domination is so prevalent that the county sheriff and attorney cannot understand why Minnie Wright would murder her husband. Women, to them, are dumb entities incapable of logical reasoning; consequently, they cannot comprehend how a woman could murder her husband, much alone have a cause. Women, on the other hand, have accepted such difficulties and developed a shared objective. They have understood the need of strengthening their relationship, connection, and collaboration. Mrs. Hale says in a conversation, “We live close together and far apart.” We all go through similar experiences. It’s all simply various varieties of the same thing” (42).
Furthermore, the ladies are referred to as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Wright rather than by their first names to represent the fact that women do not have an identity. males speak for and represent women, and women should respect and obey males. The males feel that women’s ideas, beliefs, and opinions are unimportant, therefore when the witness attempts to claim that Mrs. Wright’s husband mistreated her, the attorney cuts him off. During a conversation, the County Attorney dismisses the two women’s and Mr. Hale’s worries. He dismisses women’s contributions, calling their opinions inconsequential. “Let’s talk about that later, Sheriff,” says the County Attorney. I’d want to discuss that, but we’ll wait till we’ve finished the rest. To Hale. Such conditions cause women to unite and create friendships that assist them in overcoming adversity.
Female friendship is an important part of a woman’s life. It fosters moral character and provides a secure setting for women to be themselves. Women are drawn together by the difficulties and obstacles they experience in society. Because they are all lonely, dejected, and melancholy, they make friendships. After all, misery enjoys the company of misery. It is, nevertheless, acceptable since women gather to knit, accomplish simple jobs, and speak, which offers them delight. Women’s friendships may be strengthened via frequent talks. Several scenes in the play, for example, depict women interacting and swapping anecdotes about their marriages and lives. Furthermore, female friendships assist women in dealing with the problems and difficulties that they face in a male-dominated culture. Mrs. Hale, for example, attempts to conceal a shattered jar while the men are not looking. Mrs. Peters subsequently collaborates with Mrs. Hale to conceal facts that may cause difficulty. Such an incident highlights the importance of their relationship and how it aids them in dealing with the difficulty. This bond enables the two women to tackle a male-dominated environment.
Because the patriarchal society harms women, they seek solace in one another. Friendship provides women with a feeling of belonging since they are soothed by other women in similar situations. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters talk about Mrs. Wright’s interests, likes, challenges, and difficulties. They may sympathize with Mrs. Wright since they are in the same situation at home. Female bonding is the formation of deep personal interactions, friendships, affiliations, partnerships, and collaboration amongst women. Women create friendships as a result of their trials, interactions, and sufferings. Bonding amongst women happens when they possess similar characteristics that allow them to comprehend their experiences.
Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles emphasizes the value of female friendships and bonding. Women’s bonds enable them to manage difficult circumstances such as domestic abuse. The ladies in the play face various forms of brutality and tyranny from their husbands. Men have oppressed and overwhelmed them to the point that women are unable to speak out. These experiences inspire women to create ties with one another, giving them influence over males. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters stand close together while speaking, as though to support one another. Women’s unity is a powerful instrument for defeating patriarchy. The ties that women form with other women provide them with the strength and confidence to tackle obstacles.
Furthermore, bonding sets the path for female collaboration. Women who have formed a strong friendship that nothing can break unite to support one other. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Wright understand Mrs. Wright’s dilemma. When the county sheriff and county attorney arrive at the murder scene, they see the condition of the kitchen. The guys are upset that the kitchen is filthy and chaotic, despite the fact that there is a woman who can clean it. This stresses marriage as an oppressive institution that gives males dominance over women and cruelly treats women. Mrs. Hale comes out on Mrs. Wright’s behalf and defends her against the county attorney’s remarks that there is much more work to be done than cleaning up after males. Mrs. Peters, on the other hand, is happy to refrain from defending Minnie since she is the Sheriff’s wife. Mrs. Hale is told that the guys are merely performing their jobs.
Nonetheless, the women’s tight connection and camaraderie motivate them to conceal evidence from the Sheriff and attorney. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are having a conversation in the kitchen when they find a birdcage with the door forcefully pulled off. They check around and discover the bird dead, its neck strangled. The ladies are worried and wonder who might have done such a heinous act. “She came to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself, real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and flutter,” Mrs. Hale explains. “How she changed” (42). Wright adores the bird and believes her husband, John Wright, murdered it to enrage her. She screamed in rage and strangled her husband to death. The guys rush into the room, forcing Mrs. Hale to conceal the bird while Mrs. Peters distracts them. They know that the dead bird may be used to incriminate Mrs. Wright and resolve to keep the information hidden from the county attorney and Sheriff.
Companionship is a crucial notion in the lives of women. Women value companionship, friendship, and relationships with other women because it allows them to escape the harsh truths of life. Mrs. Hale assumes after viewing the bird cage that Mrs. Wright must have obtained a bird to keep her company. “She just wasn’t herself,” Mrs. Hale says. (42). Mrs. Wright is lonely and has an awful marriage, and she blames herself for not seeing her on a regular basis. Mrs. Wright may not be as lonely and depressed if she had paid her more visits and talked to her more often.
Thus, female friendship, bonding, and collaboration benefit women in a variety of ways; companionship provides women with comfort and a feeling of belonging. Women unconsciously respond in ways that help others. As a result, as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters demonstrate, female collaboration shields them against social difficulties. Furthermore, males disregard women’s sentiments and oppress them. As a result, the play challenges the patriarchal society to recognize women’s sentiments as more than household trivia.
Works Cited
Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. 1916. From Plays by Susan Glaspell, edited by C.W. Evers and L. Lauter. Cambridge University Press, 1987, p. 42.
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