Susan Glaspell's "Trifles"

I can’t say I enjoyed reading “Trifles” because of the story theme, but I was enthralled as I tried to unravel the mystery, one of my favorite types of readings. The theme developed as a heartbreaking theme as what one would assume was the harsh life of this young woman led her to such a violent act as murder. Though it is never confirmed she actually murdered her husband, the discoveries of the two women in the kitchen leads one to understand the motive. It is interesting the conversation of the men versus the conversations of the women. The men are confident they will find what they searching for by simply looking for evidence while the conversation of the women and their “trifleness” reveal more of the plot and evidence than the men are able to discover.

It seems fitting for the women to realize the unhappy life Mrs. Wright led but not to have addressed it. Many domestic situations occur with friends or family members believing things are amiss but feeling they should not get involved or interfere. One of the women goes so far as to make excuses for her reasons of not visiting as if that might have changed the circumstances. They realized Mr. Wright was a rough man and had witnessed the change in Mrs. Wright from her disposition as a young girl who used to enjoy singing in the choir. As they talk and discover the dead bird, they realize the situation and how the death of the birth resembles the murder of Mr. Wright. They quickly become flustered and begin wondering how to handle the situation. I think the women know even before the County Attorney made his comment “you know juries when it comes to women” that if there was any kind of motive found, regardless of its cause, Mrs. Wright would be found guilty. It was interesting as the women struggled between right and wrong knowing they should reveal the information they found but understanding the feelings and torment Mrs. Wright must have been experiencing.

I think the title of the play comes from the minimal attention the men gave to the women and their observations. However, if they had realized, the women with their trifle comments were able to discover the truth. Women are commonly accused of being trifle; worrying about what the men do not perceive to be important, their appearances, the condition of the house, etc. However, as in cooking when spices are added to a simple piece of meat, it makes a huge difference in the tastiness of the meal. That is what women's "trifleness" does: it adds flavor to our lives. While it may seem insignficant to men, they enjoy the spices and flavors of life that women add to it.