In Susan Glaspell’s play "Trifles," the bird symbolizes Minnie Wright, the main character whose internal struggles and transformation are central to the narrative. The bird represents her lost freedom, happiness, and the essence of her former self before her marriage to John Wright. Just as the bird is described as sweet and pretty, Minnie was once a vibrant woman with dreams and aspirations. However, the oppressive environment created by her husband has made her timid and fluttery, akin to a caged bird. The death of the bird, which is a pivotal moment in the play, symbolizes the ultimate destruction of Minnie’s spirit and her response to years of emotional and psychological abuse. Thus, the bird serves as a powerful metaphor for Minnie’s plight and the constraints imposed on her life.
She — come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself — real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and — fluttery. How — she — did — change.
—Trifles,
Susan Glaspell
She’s got that feeling some people have about cats — being afraid of them.
—Trifles,
Susan Glaspell
Who does the bird symbolize?
9 answers
MRS. HALE: (with a slow look around her) I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. (pause) No, Wright wouldn’t like the bird — a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too.
—Trifles,
Susan Glaspell
Remember that violence was inflicted on the birdcage and the bird. What inferences can you make about Mrs. Wright’s experience in her home? Check all of the boxes that apply.
She may have felt trapped and confined.
She may have felt limited as a housewife.
She may have been able to sing freely.
She may have suffered physical or emotional violence.
She may have been lonely.
She may have loved to travel.
Based on the passage and the symbols of the bird and the birdcage, the following inferences can be made about Mrs. Wright's experience in her home:
- She may have felt trapped and confined.
- She may have felt limited as a housewife.
- She may have suffered physical or emotional violence.
- She may have been lonely.
These options reflect the oppressive environment in which Mrs. Wright lived, suggesting that her experiences were marked by confinement, limitations imposed by societal roles, and the emotional trauma stemming from her relationship with her husband. The symbolism of the bird and the birdcage emphasizes her lack of freedom and joy, as well as her isolation. The other options, such as being able to sing freely or loving to travel, do not align with the context of the passage, which highlights loss and repression.
“Bad sewing always made me fidgety.”
“Look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It’s all over the place!”
“(She brings the large sewing basket and they look at the bright pieces.)”
The quotation that best shows evidence for the theme that important information can exist in “trifling” details is:
“Look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It’s all over the place!”
This quotation emphasizes how the seemingly insignificant detail of the sewing pattern becomes a clue that reveals deeper insights about Minnie Wright’s emotional state and her life circumstances. The contrast between the neat sewing and the messiness of one particular piece reflects her inner turmoil and the impact of her oppressive situation, illustrating the play's theme that seemingly minor details can hold significant meaning.
“(as one turning from serious things to little pleasantries) Well ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it?”
“My, it’s a good thing the men couldn’t hear us. Wouldn’t they just laugh! Getting all stirred up over a little thing like a—dead canary.”
“No, Wright wouldn’t like the bird—a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that too.”
The quotation that best supports the theme that men lack appreciation for women’s traditional roles is:
“(as one turning from serious things to little pleasantries) Well ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it?”
This quotation reflects the dismissive attitude of men towards women’s work and concerns, trivializing what the women are discussing as merely "little pleasantries" rather than recognizing the deeper significance and emotional weight behind those traditional roles. It underscores the theme of how men overlook the value of women's experiences and contributions.
SHERIFF: Nothing here but kitchen things.
—Trifles,
Susan Glaspell
What is ironic about this conversation?
The attorney thinks that there might be valuable evidence in the kitchen, while the sheriff thinks that there are only kitchen things.
The men are sure that the evidence is in the barn and upstairs, but the evidence is not there.
The law officials decide that the kitchen lacks any important evidence, but all of the important evidence is contained there.
The irony in this conversation lies in the following statement:
The law officials decide that the kitchen lacks any important evidence, but all of the important evidence is contained there.
This statement captures the essence of the irony because the men exhibit a dismissive attitude toward the kitchen, viewing it as unimportant, despite it actually holding crucial evidence related to the case. The play reveals that the "trifling" details in the kitchen, such as the state of the sewing and the dead bird, provide significant insights into Minnie Wright's life and the motive behind the crime, which the men fail to recognize.
2 answers