Trifles Interpretation
In Trifles Susan Glaspell does an excellent job of showing the subtle differences in both genders’ thought processes. She does this by representing a situation that has a rather obvious initial plot, but a very ironic conclusion. The characters all have a good idea of who the murderer is, but need to find a motive in order to convict Mrs. Wright. The men, including the town’s sheriff and county attorney, go about their business searching for evidence, while the women patiently wait in the kitchen. During their conversation they start trifling over the disarray of a few minor things, and stumble upon the evidence that the men were looking for. The investigation of John Wright’s murder involves careless technique, subtle symbolism, and a contrast between male and female egos. In the end guilt, emotions, and sympathy lead to an ironic conclusion.
The Sheriff and County Attorney are both very arrogant men. They feel the investigation is over before they even start searching for evidence. They idly pear around the kitchen and notice that things are somewhat disheveled. The men even point this out to the women but think nothing of it. This is the first instance that the women start opening their eyes, while the men don’t give it a second thought. The county attorney questions the sheriff, “You’re convinced that there is nothing of importance here – nothing that would point to any motive?” The sheriff responds, “Nothing here but kitchen things.” (Glaspell 1030-1031) The women on the other hand see this mess as a strange sight. Once the men leave the room and go upstairs, the women start noticing other small details in the kitchen that depict a woman that was severely distraught. They see the disarray of the preserves, the table half cleaned, and the unfinished stitches on the quilt as a sign that Mrs. Wright was lost in thought. They felt that any women in her right mind would finish cleaning both sides of the table, and...