Trifles - Susan Glaspell (1916)

Exploration of the Text

What clues lead the women to conclude that Minnie Wright killed her husband?

There were many clues that lead Mrs Peters and Mrs Hale to conclude that Mrs Wright killed her husband. The first example comes up when the group of characters are in the kitchen. The Sheriff has said that there is nothing worth looking at in the kitchen as it is just "kitchen things". Second is when Mrs. Peters points out a broken jar of preserves. In the play the Sheriff says, "Well, you can beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves". There is another point in the play when the men comment on the tidiness of the house and Mrs Hale countered back by saying, ".. But I dont think a place'd be any cheerfuller for John Wright's being in it" Indicating that Mr Wright is very controlling typed of husband. After getting few clues, Mrs Hale was certain by her instincts and asked Mr Peters if Mrs Wright killed her husband and Mrs Peters does not agreed. Mrs Peters later discovered that Mrs Wright was piercing a quilt. Mrs Hale was at that time was certain with evidence she have found around the kitchen asked Mrs Peters whether she (Mrs Wright) was going to quilt it or knot it -- showing how Mrs Wright killed her husband.

How do the men differ from the women? from each other?

Glaspell shows gender differences in Trifles. The two sexes are distinguished by the roles they play in society, their methods of communication and vital to the plot of the play, their powers of observation. In simple terms, Trifles suggests that men tend to be aggressive, brash, rough, analytical and self centered, in contrast, women are more cautious , deliberative, intuitive, and sensitive to the needs of others. It is these differences that allow Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale to get to the truth. 

What do the men discover? Why do they conclude "Nothing here but kitchen things"?

The men did not discover anything because while the men tramp around the farmhouse searching for big clues, they ignore the little things that the women discovered. "Nothing here but kitchen things" indicates that there are no clues or evidences but only small details that is not important to the case.


Work Cited

Glaspell, Susan. Trifles: A Play in One Act. 10 Apr. 2001. http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/ eng384/trifles.htm

On Susan Glaspell's Trifles. 18 Apr. 2001. http://www.geocities.com/ms_english101/ Trifles.html.

Susan Glaspell's Trifles - Little Things Mean a lot httpp://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=8589

http://www.enotes.com/trifles/14148

http://www.enotes.com/trifles/14150

http://fcgov.com/news/index.php?id=1660