Introduction to English Drama

Name : Geby Amanda Sihombing

NPM : 223110019

TRIFLES

Plot

The story of Trifles centers on the investigation into the death of John
Wright, a man found dead in his home with a rope around his neck. The play
begins with the arrival of the Sheriff, the County Attorney, and a neighbor named
Mr. Hale at the Wright household to search for evidence and uncover the motive
for the murder. Their wives, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, come along but are only
expected to look at the “small things” in the house, especially in the kitchen.
While the men are busy searching for major evidence elsewhere, Mrs. Hale and
Mrs. Peters begin to notice small details in the kitchen that the men find
insignificant, like broken jars of preserves, an unfinished piece of sewing, and a
broken birdcage. They discover a dead canary with a broken neck, suggesting
that John Wright may have killed the bird-a cruel act that likely broken Mrs.
Wright's heart. This discovery opens Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters' eyes to the lonely
and emotionally painful life of Mrs. Wright. They start to realize that Mrs. Wright’s
act may not have been just a murder but an emotional outburst after years of
oppression by her cold and unloving husband. In the end, they decide to hide the
evidence of the dead bird from the men as an act of solidarity with Mrs. Wright,
believing that society and the law would not understand the emotional suffering
endured by a woman in a cold and loveless household. The play ends with the
men failing to understand the real situation because they dismiss these “Trifles”.
The women’s decision to protect Mrs. Wright raises a moral dilemma about
justice and solidarity among them. This plot is not just about a murder
investigation, it also highlights how the emotional pressures and oppression
experienced by women are often underestimated and ignored by society.

Setting

The setting of the play Trifles is a modest farmhouse located in a rural

area, specifically in the kitchen of the Wright household. This setting is crucial as
it reflects Mrs. Wright's isolated and limited life. The kitchen becomes the focal
point of the story, even though the men consider it insignificant in their
investigation. Ironically, it’s in this kitchen that the women discover small clues
that provide insight into Mrs. Wright’s emotional state. The atmosphere in the
house feels cold, gloomy, and unkempt, reflecting the lifeless and loveless
marriage Mrs. Wright endured. This house not only represents a physical
residence but also an "emotional prison" for Mrs. Wright, where she felt trapped
and lonely. The house's isolated location further emphasizes Mrs. Wright's sense
of isolation, as she is distanced from social interaction and support. This setting
also holds symbolic meaning. The kitchen, usually considered a "woman’s
space," reflects the traditional roles expected of a wife. However, this space also
silently witnesses the pressures and suffering Mrs. Wright experienced. In simple
terms, this setting reveals how Mrs. Wright’s daily life, which appears ordinary
and insignificant to the men, actually holds a deep story of her unhappiness and
marital conflicts.

Characters

1. Martha Hale
Martha Hale is the wife of Henry Hale and one of the main characters in
the play. She is portrayed as a caring and empathetic person, particularly
towards Mrs. Wright (Minny Wright). Martha shows deep concern for Mrs.
Wright’s condition, even though Mrs. Wright is not present at the scene.
Martha is reflective and observant, noticing small details in Mrs. Wright's
house that reflect the tension in their lives.
2. Mrs. Wright (Minny Wright)
Mrs. Wright is the wife of John Wright, who was found dead. Althought she
does not appear directly in the play, her story is crucial and provides
insight into the role of women at the time. Mrs. Wright is portrayed as a
woman who lives under constant pressure and loneliness, which ultimately
drives her to murder her husband after years of emotional abuse. Mrs.
Wright, when she was younger, was once a cheerful woman, but her
marriage to John Wright caused her to become quiet and repressed.
3. Mrs. Peters
Mrs. Peters is the wife of Sheriff George Henderson. At first, she appears to
be obedient and follows her husband’s directions, but as the play
progresses, Mrs. Peters shows a deeper sense of empathy for Mrs. Wright.
She has personal experiences that make her better understand Mrs.
Wright's suffering, such as the loss of her child and the pressure in her
own marriage. In the end, Mrs. Peters sympathizes with Mrs. Wright and
even chooses to hide a key piece of evidence that could reveal the truth
about the murder.
4. George Henderson (Sheriff)
George Henderson is the sheriff who leads the investigation into John
Wright’s murder. He is portrayed as a rational, fact-oriented character who
is not sensitive to the small details that may seem insignificant. He
focuses on the investigation based on clear, tangible evidence, without
noticing the hidden clues around the house.
5. Henry Hale
Henry Hale is the husband of Martha Hale, and he is also involved in the
investigation of John Wright’s murder. His character plays a smaller role in
the plot other than contributing to the investigation led by the men. He
shows an indifferent attitude towards the small details that are important
in the case and is more focused on the broader facts.

Types of the drama

Trifles by Susan Glaspell can be classified as realist drama. This type of drama
focuses on portraying everyday life realistically, featuring characters from
common social backgrounds and situations that could happen in real life. In
Trifles, the social life and gender roles of early 20th-century society are depicted
in a highly realistic way. This play also touches on psychological drama aspects,
exploring the psychological state of characters, particularly Mrs. Wright, who is
driven by marital oppression to commit murder. Additionally, Trifles addresses
gender inequality, showing how the men underestimate women’s work, while the
women are able to notice crucial clues overlooked by the men.

Theme

The main theme in Trifles by Susan Glaspell is gender inequality and how
women's experiences and perspectives are often ignored in society. The story
shows how men underestimate women and consider their attention to small
things, like household tasks, as unimportant. However, the women in the story,
like Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, are able to uncover the truth through their
attention to these small details, which the men fail to notice. Another theme is
the emotional pressure experienced by women in unhealthy marriages, as seen
in Mrs. Wright's situation. She is trapped in a relationship full of control and
emotional abuse, which ultimately affects her drastically. Through these themes,
Trifles highlights social injustice and the importance of empathy and
understanding of others' emotional situations, especially for women.

Issues it consist in this play

In Trifles, there are several key issues raised, namely gender inequality, pressure
in marriage, and disregard for women’s perspectives. The issue of gender
inequality is clearly evident in how the men in the story dismiss the roles and
thoughts of women. The men consider the women’s attention to small household
details, like the dead bird or the unfinished quilt, as unimportant. However, it is
precisely through these small details that the women are able to uncover clues
that lead to the truth. Additionally, the story portrays how emotional pressure in
marriage, as experienced by Mrs. Wright, can drastically change a person. Mrs.
Wright, who was once cheerful, became suppressed and quiet due to her
husband's harsh treatment. The final issue is how men's perspectives often
disregard women’s views. They fail to recognize the importance of women’s
emotional sensitivity and experiences, which could help uncover the truth in this
case. Trifles illustrates how gender inequality and the disregard for women’s
perspectives can lead to injustice in society.

Voice

The "voice" in Trifles refers to how the perspectives and feelings of women are
expressed in the story. In this play, the voice of women, especially through the
characters Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, is crucial because they are the ones who
uncover the hidden truth. Although the men dismiss their attention to small
details, such as the dead bird or the unfinished quilt, the women’s voices provide
deep insight into Mrs. Wright’s emotional state. They are able to understand her
pain and suffering because, as women themselves, they have experienced
similar pressures and isolation. This "voice" also reflects female solidarity, where
they support each other and choose to protect Mrs. Wright, even if it means
hiding evidence that could reveal the truth. Thus, the voice in Trifles highlights
the theme of gender inequality and the importance of understanding women’s
perspectives in addressing social and emotional issues.

The moral of lesson

The moral lesson that can be drawn from Trifles by Susan Glaspell is the
importance of gender equality, the appreciation of women’s perspectives, and a
deeper understanding of an individual’s emotional condition. This story teaches
that women are often underestimated and not taken seriously by society,
especially by men, who view women's work and attention to small details as
unimportant. However, it is precisely through paying attention to these "trifles"
that the women in the story—Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters—are able to uncover the
truth that the men overlook. This lesson also reminds us that the emotional and
psychological state of an individual, particularly in the context of unhealthy
relationships, should be understood in greater depth. In the case of Mrs. Wright,
the unhappiness and pressure in her marriage led not only to isolation but also to
extreme actions. Thus, Trifles encourages us to be more sensitive to the feelings
of others, avoid hasty judgments, and demand greater respect for women's
experiences and perspectives in society.