Susan Glaspell's Trifles

Freedom is constantly denied to women, but they continue to long for it even if they have never truly experienced it. In Trifles by Susan Glaspell, Mrs. Wright is suspected of murdering her husband, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters observe and investigate her motives. While Doree did not have much support when dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy, Mrs. Wright actions are silently supported by both Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters after learning of how trapped and isolated she truly was. For example, "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...If there'd been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful--still, after the bird was still" (Glaspell).

Wright's isolation, her lack of children compensated by only a bird. Then, her husband, Mr. Wright, extinguishes her passion for singing and kills her only source of company and solace. Although they were not close friends, the women protect Mrs. Wirght because they recognize and relate to the suffering that she experienced in her marriage. In the same way as Maggie, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are outsiders but quickly assess the signs that indicate an abusive relationship and try to help in the best way they can. Also similar is that their help comes a little too late to save Doree and Mrs. Wright from the extreme consequences that accompany isolation. Maya Angelou's timeless poem Caged Bird, perfectly captures the constant struggle and yearning for freedom that women experience. Angelou explores the idea of freedom being a natural occurrence that cannot be suppressed despite isolation or oppression. As can be seen in Doree's case when she makes the decision to separate herself from Lloyd during an argument and when she refuses to board the bus