Introduction
The relationship between men and women has always been interesting, analyzed, and discussed in cultural, social, and legal contexts. It has always been a topic of interest to many people because it delves into the differences and similarities between men and women. In “A Jury Of Her Peers,” Susan Glaspell explores how moral concepts of right and wrong collide in gender discourse, seeking to demonstrate how gender inequality affects judgment and perception of situations. The story told by Glaspell is an excellent example of literature because it provides meaning about the differences between men’s and women’s perceptions of good and evil, demonstrating this through its plot, theme, and symbol.
Narrative
Susan Glaspell begins the narrative with murder, which is seen as a deliberately bad and harmful act in most literature. Her reasoning is somewhat different, as she ties the murder to a crime against a woman rather than against the murdered man. Glaspell reveals how murder becomes the only way out for Mrs. Wright, who had to endure her husband’s rude behavior and ignorance toward her. In addition, she proves that from a feminist point of view, a woman’s murder of a man is the result of prolonged oppression (Glaspell 4).
In the reality of men like Mr. Hale, “women are used to worrying over trifles” because he contributed to this for many years without giving opportunities (Glaspell 4). Glaspell also shows that other women accept Mrs. Wright’s concept of right and wrong because her intentions are clear. In reasoning about Mrs. Wright’s fate, they have no sympathy for her murdered husband and probably could have done the same.
Theme
It should be considered the story’s overall theme, which unfolds gradually and reaches its climax near the end. The problem of murder and police officers is first revealed to readers because the women are portrayed as background figures. However, Glaspell wraps the theme around gender injustice by pointing out the value of women’s solidarity (Glaspell 4).
Moreover, through the men’s behavior, she shows how years of oppression of women have prevented them from having the right to a desirable life and work. Their lot has always been “nothing here but kitchen stuff” instead of holding high positions like their husbands (Glaspell 3). Disdain is the main feeling of men toward women, but men do not remember that women have an even greater feeling toward them – hatred.
Glaspell shows that women had to adapt to awful conditions and hierarchies in which their place was at the bottom. This is evident in the dialogue between Mrs. Hale and the county attorney:
“Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men’s hands aren’t always as clean as they might be.”
“Ah, loyal to your sex, I see,” he laughed (Glaspell 4).
They indirectly state how unappreciative men are because of dirty hands, referring to how tainted they are by oppression and violence against women. Glaspell ingeniously describes the problems of how men perceive women. The women rally around justifying violence against an abusive husband who does not appreciate Mrs. Wright because years of oppression have taught them to see strength in solidarity and unity with women. They confront injustice in other ways that can help them hide the truth from men and fight for their rights. And it is the women who will eventually take a higher place than the men whose hands will remain dirty.
Symbolism
The short story is filled with symbols that point to the complexity of women’s social, cultural, and historical experience of systematic oppression by men. Glaspell does not thoroughly criticize Mrs. Wright’s chosen path because she is also in solidarity with her distress and hardships. Nevertheless, she attaches critical importance to Mrs. Wright’s bird and Mr. Wright’s killing her (Glaspell 7). The bird represented what men could not take away from women – the soul, thoughts, and perception of society. Mrs. Wright was also trapped in a cage like the bird, but her character and fortitude allowed her to avenge the murder.
Mrs. Hale even proves this similarity: “she was kind of like a bird herself. Real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and–fluttery. How–she–did–change” (Glaspell 8). Mr. Wright killed the bird, bringing his wife’s inner strength into play: she was no longer willing to oppose oppression. The killing of the unfortunate animal demonstrates what women have had to go through. At the same time, men have mocked their souls for centuries and not given them freedom.
Conclusion
Thus, the brevity of Susana Glaspell’s story does not deprive it of its genius and relevance. She explores how morality and justice collide in gender discourse, demonstrating how concepts of good and evil change according to gender. She comments on how solidarity and understanding of each other’s experiences make women stick together. Glaspell argues that through unification and maintaining an inner core, women have learned to cope with the patriarchal structure of the world. In this reality, they justify killing the man who mocks and abuses the woman, even though it contradicts the male morality of right and wrong.
Work Cited
Glaspell, Susan. A Jury Of Her Peers. The Crowell Publishing Company, 1917.