To Kill a Canay: A Contrast and Comparison of Trifles to a Jury of Her Peers

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To Kill A Canary: A Contrast and Comparison of Trifles To a Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell: If your husband had just been murdered, would your first concern be of your jar of preserves bursting? The short story “ A Jury of Her Peers” and play “Trifles” share an abudance of similarities. The setting in both takes place during winter in Dickson County, Nebraska. This is a rutal town located in the farm belt of the United States in the early part of the 1900’s. Glaspell craftfully uses the discussions between the characters and symbolism in both stories to bring focus to and reject how males viewed and treated females in rural America in the 1900’s. In both works, Glaspell uses characterization and the central conflict of both stories to imply that the sexist views of the males are not constructive to marital relationships in general. The main characters in both works present multiple examples of such relationships.The the Hale’s are the first characters we are introduced In “Peers” there is more emphasis on Martha Hales’ actual feelings for her husband. It states that she wishes that when her husband is questioned about the murder, that he would just tell it like it is (Glaspell, A Jury of Her Peers). Mrs. Hales feels that her husband has a habit of becoming mixed up on the story and she’s worried about that. In comparison, this detail is emphasized through unecessary his ramblings in Trifles, which sound like a two year old. It shows in both versions that their interaction with each other is taxing on their relationship. The the Peters have a similar relationship to the Hales , but it is more deftly revealed. The sheriff is a a heavy man with a big voice, who was particularly genial with the law-abiding, as if to make it... ... middle of paper ... ...aining jar to Mrs. Wright, in prison, to present her with a symbolic gesture of their support. Cherries are very sweet and used mainly as a garnish, a topping, something one doesn’t need but enjoys. The fact that they want to go beyond her request for clothing and bring her something more gratifying illustrates their desire to offer her some relief. As with their efforts to hide her uneven stitches, sure to be seen by the men as proof of guilt, they commiserate with her through objects that symbolize their commonality. Both of the works tell their respective stories accurately and interestingly. “Peers” uses imagery much more than Trifles, while the latter uses dialogue. Because Mrs. Wright was trapped in a lonesome, cold marriage, she too became that way. When asked why her husband was initially not available, she replied, “Cause he’s dead,” with a laugh (681).

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