Introduction
In a bid to give literary works more perspectives, literary critics often use different styles of analysis. Among them are the diverse theories of literary analysis that take various frameworks of the interpretations of creative works. A good example of the models is feminist theory. Essentially, feminist theory is a principle that delves into the link between gender and power from the background of the female sex (Barnett et al. 1219). In particular, the philosophy concerns the depicting of the women and girls in a positive light by basically portraying their desirable traits or roles in their societies or showing how they suffer in male chauvinist societies. One of the books in which the theory can be applied to give more insight into some themes and traits related to the womenfolk is Trifles by Susan Glaspell. Some of the issues that can be examined in the feminist issues that can be examined in the play are the stereotyping characterization of females as well as men’s attitude towards them. In that light, the stereotypes being attached to women characters, as well as some of the attitudes towards them, can be studied within the perspective of the feminist theory in Trifles to give more insight into the experiences of the females in their macho society.
Within the context of typecasting the womenfolk, the play depicts women as not only timid but also voiceless in their interactions with men. The stereotyping is portrayed in many cases that include the relationship between Mrs. Wright and Mr. Wright. In marriage, Mrs. Wright turns herself into a nervous and sad woman who is voiceless under the control of her abusive husband. In essence, this is seen in her inability to sing again after her husband forbids the act: ‘She used to sing. He killed that, too (Glaspell 1048).’ Inherently, the way the woman has been changed by marriage is explained in the assertion that Mrs. Wright was not only innocent but also happy as a young woman. In that way, her portrayal as a fearful woman who has been subdued by her husband satisfied the feminist notion that women often suffer in the hands of men (Medalle 22). Hence, the categorizing of the woman as reticent illustrates the use of feminist theory to analyze the place of women in some male chauvinist societies like hers.
Mrs. Peters also reveals the stereotyping of women that satisfy the understanding of feminist theory. The society of Trifles seems to hold the view that women lack a personal sense of self-direction.; hence, they are to be directed. For example, they are expected to behave according to what their husbands stand for as in the case of Mrs. Peters. Despite being an adult, she is expected to uphold the laws unquestioningly since her husband is a sheriff, as the County Attorney says. He observes: 'Mrs. Peters doesn’t need supervising. For that matter, a sheriff’s wife is married to the law.” (Glaspell 1050). The statement means that women are objects of control by the dictates of their men as well as their chauvinistic society in Trifles. The description is relatable to the feminist idea that societies that value males more than females often resort to different mechanisms of control of their women and girls (Barnett et al. 1223). Therefore, the casting of Mrs. Peters is an illustration of the applicability of the feminist model in understanding the drama.
In terms of attitude, the treatment of the females in the play shows how men demean them. Predictably, Mr. Wright is contemptuous towards his wife. For instance, because he sees her as his property that is worth controlling, he stops her from singing, which further makes her voiceless in the house. Furthermore, to disgrace her contemptuously, he destroys his wife’s only source of happiness and company, the bird, for he does not like it. Innately, the sense of disdaining here is illustrated in the statement: ‘Wright wouldn't like the bird-a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that. too” (Glaspell 1038).’ Moreover, females are condescendingly treated as detectives; they gather at Mr. Wright’s house to collect evidence for the murder. The county Attorney says: ‘Mrs. Peters doesn’t need supervising. For that matter, a sheriff’s wife is married to the law.” (Glaspell 1050). Ironically, immediately after those comments, Mrs. Peters tries to hide the evidence of murder; hence, making the arrogant men lose their control over the situation. With the theory, there is the notion that the feminist approach of analyzing texts often paints females as victims of men’s sense of entitlement and arrogance (Barnett et al. 1231). Indeed, the disdainful attitude of men towards females helps affirm the feminist idea of females being subjected to suffering in male chauvinist societies.
Lastly, there is the critical attitude that men have towards the females in the text. The play shows that men are into criticizing females in what can be a sense as a tendency emanating from a superiority complex. For example, Hale claims: ‘Well, women are used to worrying over trifles (Glaspell 1047).’ The statement refers to the man’s feeling that women pay much attention to what he regards as useless things. To put into a better context, Hale feels that at the point when there is a serious case of a charge for Mr. Wright’s murder, his wife was concerned about minor issues such as worrying about the chances of her containers of preserves getting broken. Ironically, the detective seems to talk out of ignorance. This is especially so when Mrs. Hale later explains the reason for Mrs. Wright's worry. According to her, putting things in the preserves is a difficult task that needs to be taken seriously to avoid the chances of the hard work involved in the process of becoming a waste of time. The supposing contrasts the world of men and women in terms of understanding their concerns. Certainly, the argument in this perspective supports the notion that feminism in the literature believes in the tendency of men to have a feeling of superiority over females (Barnett et al. 1232). Based on that, the critical attitude that men show towards women is an act of male chauvinism that helps explain the relevance of the feminist approach in the analysis of the text.
Conclusion
To conclude, the stereotypical characterization of women, as well as men's attitude towards them, can be studied within the perspective of the feminist theory in Trifles for more perception of experiences of the females in their masculine society. For example, in terms of stereotyping, women are depicted as being fearful and voiceless in their interactions with men. Besides, they are represented as people who cannot control themselves. In terms of attitude, the treatment of the females in the play shows how men demean them by being contemptuous and critical of them. Admittedly, these descriptions meet the sentiments of feminist theory. In summary, the classification of women and men’s feeling about them help support the applicability of the feminist theory in Trifles.
Works Cited
Barnett, Michael D., et al. "Religious Affiliation, Religiosity, Gender, and Rape Myth Acceptance: Feminist Theory and Rape Culture." Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 33, no. 8, 2016, pp. 1219-1235.
Glaspell, Susan. "Trifles." The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Vol D. Ed. Paul Lauter. Houghton Mifflin, 2006. 1041-1050
Medalle, R. H. (2018). On Susan Glaspell’s Trifles and “A Jury of Her Peers.” Centennial Essays, Interviews, and Adaptations. Martha C. Carpentier and Emeline Jouve, Editors. Revista de Estudios Norteamericanos, (22).
