Trifles Relevance in the Present Day - Essay Example

Research Paper TRIFLES RELEVANCE IN THE PRESENT DAY One of the finest and most popular plays written by Susan Glaspell is “Trifles”. The main core theme of the play revolves round feminism. In this regard, while portraying feminism one aspect that has been clearly depicted in the play is regarding female identity in the society. Females are identified in the society with respect to their relationship with men. In the play, there had been a significant mistake with regards to the identity of the wife of John Wright, who has been murdered. The country attorney named George Henderson and the Sherriff Henry Peters in the play along with other individuals were of the opinion that women identification was dependent on the male counterparts of the society. In this context, in accordance to the play Henderson refers Mrs. Peters to be a follower of law. The reason behind the statement is that Mrs. Peter is the wife of Henry Peters, who is the Sherriff and follows the law. According to Henderson, as Henry Peter is a reliable follower of the law of the state. Therefore, his wife would also be a reliable follower of law. However, in the reply Mrs. Peter said, “Not-just that way” Trifles (page 1-10). The reply of Mrs. Peter suggested that she does not want to be considered as the follower of law as she had been the wife of a Sheriff, but she wants to portray that being independent women she also is a follower of the same law. In the play, it was further concluded by Mrs. Hale saying, “All go through the same things-its all just a different kind of the same thing” Trifles (page 1-10). This conclusion made by Mrs. Hale suggesting that such kind of mistake is made by almost every individual and the women should not be considered on the basis of a judgmental decision with regard to the profession of her husband Trifles (page 1-10). This concept of the female identity is to be determined by the relationship with the male member and is significantly relevant to the modern day. It has been observed in several parts of the world that the female members are recognized by the profession of the male members in the family. These male members may either be their husband or father. This is prominently observed in the case of the wives of the terrorist and the other criminals of the world. These women are also considered as terrorists or criminals by the society irrespective of their participation in any sort of offensive crimes. This is not only observed in case of the terrorist or criminals of the society, but also in case of the noble people. The wives and daughters of the noble people of the society are also considered to be noble, irrespective of the participation of any sort of noble deeds. Thus, the core concept of the play “Trifles” depicts that female identity is being related to the male members of the society, which is significantly relevant in the modern day as well. The women in the present day are still recognized through the profession of the male members of the family Susan Glaspell’s Trifles (1916): Womens Conspiracy of Silence beyond the Melodrama of Beset Women hood (page 55-65). In the play “Trifles” written by Susan Glaspell, the fundamental concept revolves round feminism and its perception in the society. In this regard of feminist percepts, the play portrays the differences amid the two genders, which includes male and female. The major fundamental feminist percepts are the recognition of the female members in the society as it is based on the profession of the male member with whom the women are related. Besides, there are some more concepts that are observed from the play. These are the manner in which the male characters that are portrayed in the play. The male characters include Mr. Peter, the Sheriff and Mr. Henderson, the country attorney and many more. These characters had been very busy in investigating the evidences against Mrs. Wright, who had the allegation of murdering her husband and hence, kept in the jail in the play. However, as per Mrs. Wright, she had been asleep, when the murder of her husband took place. Moreover, during the investigation from the male characters, they had been making fun of the hard work that the women do inside the home. In this regard, Sheriff commented that “Well, can you beat the woman! Held for murder and worryin about her preserves” Trifles (page 1-10). Further, the country attorney in reply to this said, “I guess before were through she may have something more serious than preserves to worry about” Trifles (page 1-10). These citations made by Sherriff and Country Attorney suggested their perception and image of women in the society. They perceived women to be more concerned about the domestic stuffs like the preserves, and others. However, they also considered that women possess a darker face on the other side and this had led Mrs. Wright to kill her husband. These characters are highly convinced that Mrs. Wright had murderer her husband. This is because they perceived that Mrs. Wright was not satisfied with the marriage and did not have good relationship with her husband Trifles (page 1-10). The fundamental feminist percepts of women are to be more concerned about the domestic stuffs and the same are still relevant in the present day. Throughout the world, it is mostly observed that women are more concerned about the domestic stuffs than the male members of the family. In the contrary, it is also observed that women in the present day are engaged in professional tasks like the men. However, it cannot be denied that majority of these women are even more concern for the domestic stuffs as well as professional Place and Gender in Susan Glaspells Trifles and Womans Honor (page 237-255). Contextually, in the play women characters came into the home of John Wright I to identify the evidences. The female characters as stated above were Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. These two women are the true followers of law. Similar, to the objective of their husbands and other male characters in the play, these characters also came to investigate with regard to the murder of John Wright. However, the women characters had the objective of finding evidences regarding the mental abuse of Mrs. Wright that led her to cause the murder of her husband. Moreover, the women also perceived that Mrs. Wright was all alone in the home and had had no child, which might have resulted in depression. This aspect made her feel lonely and was having no companion to share her thoughts and feelings. Mrs. Wright also did not have any communication with her friends and others and this had even enlarged her loneliness. This led to the creation of mental disturbance of Mrs. Wright and hence, made her to cause the murder of her husband out of loneliness. The two women characters that came for investigation regarding the abuse by Mr. Wright also discovered that the canary of Mrs. Wright was killed. The canary was the sole companion of Mrs. Wright and the killing of the same had made her feel lonely and disturbed. It was also been noted that the canary was killed in the same manner with a broken neck similar to that of Mr. Wright, who had been murdered. This made them to perceive that Mr. Wright was killed by her wife due to the dissatisfaction from her relationship. Through these the women investigators in the play perceived that although the women in the society in that period contribute to the betterment of the domestic stuffs to an utmost level, but still the society and most importantly the husbands of those women did not consider their effort. In the play, the women investigators perceived that Mr. Wright did not appreciate the contribution that his wife had made regarding the adequate organizing of the home stuffs. Moreover, they also perceived that the women in the society were significantly mentally abused by their husbands and also these women lack independence and the companion to share their thoughts and feelings, which made them disturbed to a considerable extent Trifles (page 1-10). The feminist perception that Mrs. Peter and Mrs. Hales had after the investigation from the belongings of Mrs. Wright is that she was mentally abused by her husband. They also perceived that Mrs. Wright had lack of companion and independence and so also the lack of appreciation upon her work. This perception of Mrs. Peter and Mrs. Hales is significantly relevant to the present day context. There are several women in the present world, who lack appreciation, companion and independence. They also undergo tremendous amount of domestic abuse both mentally and physically. This type of scenario is observed in almost every country irrespective of being developed or developing nation. However, it is almost prominently observed in case developing nations and underdeveloped nations. There are certain countries in the world that have an extensive darker side of the society, with regards to feminist. These countries are mostly from the Middle East nations, where the condition of the women is extensively worse Place and Gender in Susan Glaspells Trifles and Womans Honor (page 237-255). In the recent years, there has been an extensive use of the play in different theatres of the world. It is also been used in different other languages so that the theme or the message of the play goes to a wide range of audience throughout the world. In the recent history there has been certain modification of the play that can also be observed in different theatres. These modifications are with regard to the more relevant form of female condition in the present day. However, the core content of lack of independence, appreciation, companion to women is the same and so also the mental abuse. There are also certain movies that have been made with regards to the core theme of “Trifles”. These movies include the movies like “Provoked” of 2006, "Sleeping with the Enemy", "The Burning Bed", "Whats Love Got to do with it?", "When No One Would Listen", "Domestic Violence", "Once Were Warriors", and many more. These movies have a similar theme of the female members to be mentally abuses and so also lack of independence, companion, and appreciation. Hence, these movies are quite similar to the core theme of the marvelous play of Susan Glaspell on feminism Susan Glaspell in Context (page 1915-1948). The play “Trifles” is widely received as one of the most critically appreciated play with regards to feminism. The play is very popular and the same theme is applied in several of the other plays and movies in the recent past years. The reason behind this is the theme of the play, which is significantly relevant at the present day context. The kind of circumstances of women in the society during the period of 20th century is depicted in the play of Susan Glaspell. This type of scenario is even present to an extent throughout the world. This has led the movie makers and the play makers of the present day to adapt such kind of theme, which is about the women perception and their identity. Moreover, the viewers of the present day are also excited to watch such kind of plays and movies. This is because the viewers find the content or the core theme of the play or movie to be highly relevant to their personal lives and also motivating Place and Gender in Susan Glaspells Trifles and Womans Honor (page 237-255). Moreover, the other plays and books that are written and adapted by other writers also reveal the relevance of “Trifles” in the present day context. These includes “Susan Glaspell’s Trifles (1916): Womens Conspiracy of Silence beyond the Melodrama of Beset Women hood”, written by Manuel in 2000. The article depicts the condition of women in the 19th and 20th century in the world. The core theme of the source is significantly similar to that of the theme of Susan Glaspell’s Trifles. The article suggested that the history of women in the world was very dark. This is due to the intrinsic culture of each and every community in the world, which validates only the male gender. However, the article also suggested that the obligations of both the gender towards each other for the benefit of the society. This aspect is significantly similar to that of the theme of Trifles. Thus, it implies the relevance of “Trifles” in the present day context Susan Glaspell’s Trifles (1916): Womens Conspiracy of Silence beyond the Melodrama of Beset Women hood (page 55-65). Another play written by Susan is the “Womans Honor”, which significantly defines its relevance. Similar to “Trifles”, this play also reveals the perspective of the author Susan, with regard to the concept of gender inequality. The contents of the play “woman honor” also provide a holistic and comprehensive understanding regarding the thoughts of Susan with respect to feminism Place and Gender in Susan Glaspells Trifles and Womans Honor (page 237-255). The core theme of the play is with regards to the perception of the two groups of investigation that are categorized on the basis of two genders. The group comprising of male members were highly judgmental on the task of women. They believe that the task of women is to be a domestic stuff, which are insignificant in the present day context. The other group comprising of the female members were also judgmental regarding women being mentally abused by her husband. Moreover, they also perceived that women have been lacking independence, companion and appreciation from their husband. Irrespective of the complete adequacy of knowledge regarding Mrs. Wright, they had perceived that women were undergoing from a mental abusive condition. This is prominently because of the condition of women that were mostly observed in the society. However, this kind of harsh-full scenario of women is also observed in the present day. Moreover, several movies and plays that were portrayed on the basis of the same theme have touched several hearts. This is because of the relevance of the theme that is very close to many lives Murder, She Wrote: The Genesis of Susan Glaspells Trifles (page 141-162). Hence, it is one of the most loved play in the world and also it is a must watch for every individual in the society i.e. both male and female. From the play the approaches that could be enhanced is the need for women empowerment. This can be achieved through fighting for equal status of women in the society for a better standard. Bibliography Ben-Zvi, L. “Murder, She Wrote: The Genesis of Susan Glaspells Trifles.” Theatre Journal 44 (1992): 141-162. Print. Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles.” Wolaver. (1916): 1-10. Print. Gainor, J. Ellen. “Susan Glaspell in Context.” American Theater, Culture, and Politics (2001): 1915-1948. Print. Manuel, C. “Susan Glaspell’s Trifles (1916): Womens Conspiracy of Silence beyond the Melodrama of Beset Women hood.” University of Valencia 7 (2000): 55-65. Print. Shih, Yi-chin. “Place and Gender in Susan Glaspells Trifles and Womans Honor.” National Taiwan University (n.d.): 237-255. Print. Read More