Equality In Trifles By Susan Glaspell

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Alyssa Bartlett Professor Adams ENG-102 25 April 2017 Gender Equality in “Trifles” In the Declaration of Independence, there is no mention of women having equal rights. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (United States Congress, The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription). As a country, the United States took years to adapt these positions for all individuals to be viewed as equal. Not until 1920, did women achieve the right to vote legally (United States Congress, The Constitution: The 19th Amendment). The playwright, “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell, takes place in 1916 and includes elements of what the women’s suffrage movement was all about. This play tells the story of a murder mystery involving the married couple, Mrs. Wright and her husband, the murder victim, John Wright. This play also shows the discriminatory society during that time and the views of women. Women’s social status was far below men. “Trifles” shows the social issue of women’s rights. The main characters of the play include Mrs. Wright, John Wright, George …show more content…

Mrs. Peters says one comment on how Mrs. Wright worried about her fruit freezing, which it indeed had due to being left out. With haste, the Sheriff fires back, speaking to his male partners, “Well, can you beat women! Held for murder and worryin’ about her preserves” (Glaspell). All of the men agreed to the Sheriffs comment, and Mr. Hale stated: “Well, women are used to worrying over trifles” (Glaspell). The entire dialogue of the play shows the ignorance and general lack of respect given to the women’s comments. The Sheriff even openly speaks to his wife about how a women’s role in the home was meaningless. The prejudice from the men is extremely

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