The play, Trifles by Susan Glaspell, primarily outlines gender differences, the position of men and women in the society. The portrayal of women and their responsibilities in society stands out as the most predominant in Glasspell’s work. In the 21 st Century, women have been at the top of the agenda of most countries and the United Nations. What is notable is the ever-changing perception of women and the change in responsibilities seen today. Just like today, the society in “Trifles” tends to express a stereotype towards women, which they later prove that ought not to be placed on them. In the 21 st Century, stereotypes against women and the idea to have women confined to household jobs are critical concerns in the play and such which portray in the world today. Similarly, women have been at the forefront, working to prove their positions to nullify the various stereotypes that are on them.
Glaspell portrays men as the dominant gender in society. The culture, as seen in the play, confines just to domestic duties while men are accorded all the freedom to walk the way they want around. Women are perceived to have a place in the kitchen and nowhere else. In the investigation on the murder of Mr. John Wright, the Sheriff expresses his lack of interest in looking at the kitchen because it is a place for the women with nothing worth the attention of the investigation. Mr. Right says, "Nothing here but kitchen things" ( Glaspell, 1916, p. 982 ) in response to the County Attorney’s appeal to check the kitchen. This is an indication of the lack of respect for women. Moreover, women were pushed out of the way by the men to pave the way for the investigation. This is an indication that men do not believe in the ability of women to produce results. This is a reflection of the 21 st Century has been for women. Women still appear as subjects to male dominance in a lot of cultures, with specific jobs being regarded to be owned by men. In as much as women have attempted to close the gap, they still lag in terms of recognition. There are specific jobs, especially in leadership and in the military, that are a reserve of men. This fairy is comparable to the symbolic kitchen referred by Glaspell in the play.
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Susan Glaspell’s play portrays an unfair treatment of women by men. The fact that Mrs. Wright is taken to custody for suspected murder is a portrayal of unjust treatment. The fact that a woman is considered to care before confirmation is proof of unfair treatment to the women in the society presented by Glaspell's play. This is quite different from what happens in the 21 st Century. Justice is served unconditionally to everyone regardless of their gender. In the world today, one is deemed innocent until proven guilty. Universally, the law only recommends locking an individual up for a crime one a court demonstrates that she is guilty. This implies that women have justice in the 21 st Century more than they have in the society presented by Glaspell’s play. Women have equal rights with men in the 21 st Century.
In summary, women are regarded to be too weak for specific roles in society by Glaspell, something that is still on even in the world today. The play also portrays unjust treatment on women, which is, however, different from the world today where justice is served equally to both women and men. Constitutions and international law provide equal rights to both men and women.
References
Glaspell, S. (1916). Trifles . Frank Shay.
