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Trifles by Susan Glaspell

Thesis Statement

This paper would attempt to analyze Glaspell's 'Trifles' by trying to figure out the reasons behind Minnie's act of crime.

Introduction

The following essay is a modest attempt to interpret one of the finest works by Susan Glaspell, 'Trifles'. Written in 1916 and published in 1920. Her first solo, one act play based on a real murder case in Iowa. The author was a news reporter at the time of incident and covered the story. Susan also plays the role of one of the characters, Mrs. Hales, in the initial adoption of the play in the theatre. Glaspell is inspired by the than ongoing 'Literature Theatre Movement'. The movement attempts to rise above the commercial and conventional plays featured on the Broadway during that time. Glaspell with her inspirations was determined to write material that gives a more thorough perspective of the times. Thus, her literary works were centered more on the realistic human conditions of the times. These conditions depicted the affects of social, cultural and economic fabric of society on an individuals and families lives. True, honest and frank perspectives were the hallmark of her works. Thus, her writings were not influenced by what worked and what did not, from a commercial standpoint. Rather, her body of works closely resembled the surroundings and relationships of the times.

The themes of the play 'Trifles' are of: Trauma, female disenchantment, the coldness of men and justice.

Discussion

An Isolated House

The initial scenes of the play set light on the dingy and morose settings of the house of crime. Lines in the play such as “abandoned farmhouse”, “kitchen is gloomy” set the tone. These lines paint a picture of a mundane, uninviting farmland in a faraway place. A place cut off from the commotion of people or transport. Even Mrs. Hales describes the house as gloomy and away from habitat. She also reveals her true feelings about never liking the place. These settings indirectly reflect light on Minnie's character. It informs readers how this isolation and lack of human interaction can make her cold with despair. The affects of such morose settings is summed by the statement, “Isolation induces madness in many” (Keller, pp. 4). Keller further points out that the rate of insanity in rural areas of U.S. were alarmingly high in those times.

Disturbed Consciousness

The lines in the play which discerned the settings of the kitchen like; unwashed dishes and bread lying on the table, symbolizes Minnie's state of mind. “These props helps to, establish the presence of disturbed consciousness” (Noe, pp. 39). Her consciousness was shaken by the isolation around. The props were thus symbols used by Glaspell, to depict her unfulfilled needs of contact and affection.

A Selfish Husband

The dead husbands' character is discussed with lines in play, which informs readers, how he refused to commit to a sharing plan to bring telephone around the area. This plot, suggested his needs of peace and quiet. Thus, he desired the isolation that Minnie was so ...