Susan Glaspell Symbolism

Theodora,
In your post you stated that the setting is important. I agree with you but I also believe that the symbols used by Glaspell’s are important. The setting and symbols were a crucial aspect to consider because it allowed the reader to have a deeper understanding of the characters and convey the authors theme. Some of the specific aspects of the house that helped the reader to understand the theme and characters were the disorganized kitchen, the cold weather, and Mrs. Wright’s jars of preserves. In the beginning of the play the kitchen was described as “The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of John Wright, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having been put in order--unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the bread-box, a dish-towel on the table” (Lines 1-2). Glaspell’s descriptions of the setting of the unkempt kitchen revealed to the reader how Mrs. Wright felt. For instance, the description tells the reader that Mrs. Wright had rebelled against her duties. In this era women were expected to keep their house nice and clean. However, Mrs. Wright chooses to not comply with her expected womanly duties.

Wright life. The Sherriff states, “It dropped below zero last night” (Line 12). Also Hale stated, “"How do, Mrs. Wright, it's cold, ain't it?" And she said, "Is it?" (Lines 37-38). The cold temperature in the house is interpretation of her seclusion. Glaspell’s description of the setting is a sign of her solitude which I believe is what cause of her unhappiness in their marriage. Mrs. Wright lives in a “gloomy” home. Mrs. Wright feels that she lives in a home that is cold as the outside weather. The reader might have had a different perspective on the setting if it would have been described as a place that was warm with joyful children running around