Introduction
The play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell is one of those plays that represent a deep analysis of human relationships and the problems people face every day. Symbols play an essential role in this play as they help to show the deeper meaning of what is happening on the stage. One of the most exciting questions for the audience while viewing “Trifles” is why Mrs. Wright killed her husband. In response to this question, many factors led to this horrific act.
The Bird as a Symbol of Freedom and Loss
The bird is a symbol that is key to understanding Mrs. Wright’s behavior. At the beginning of the play, we see how the residents of a small town turn to Mrs. Wright when they find a dead bird. Life in the kitchen oppressed and suppressed Mrs. Wright, symbolizing her miserable situation (Glaspell 6). She felt trapped and unhappy, and when her husband killed the bird she loved, she realized she could no longer live like this.
As a symbol of freedom, the bird becomes Mrs. Wright, the embodiment of what she wants. But when her husband killed the bird, she felt he had destroyed all her dreams and hopes for freedom. She realized that she could no longer live like this and that the only way out of her tragic situation was to kill her husband.
Thus, the use of symbols in the play Trifles helps the audience better understand the characters’ deep problems and motives. Each symbol in the play carries its meaning and helps to create a complete picture of what is happening on stage. The use of symbols is one way that writers and playwrights convey complex ideas and feelings that are sometimes difficult to express in words.
Domestic Oppression and the Female Experience
Furthermore, when we learn about her husband, who ignored her desires and interests, we understand that Mrs. Wright was oppressed and suppressed. She felt like a bird in a cage that could not fly and be free. In the end, killing her husband became a way out of the situation for Mrs. Wright (Glaspell 8). She decided she could no longer live in the shadow of her husband and be oppressed. The murder became her way of freeing herself and becoming as free as a bird that could fly in the sky.
Thus, symbols are critical to understanding the deeper meaning of what is happening on stage. In “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell, symbols help show that the murder of the husband was not just an act of violence but was the result of pressure and suppression that Mrs. Wright experienced in her life. In addition to the bird, other symbols help show the state of the characters and the deeper meaning of what is happening.
For example, the shawl found at the crime scene is a symbol of freedom and independence. When Mrs. Peters, one of the play’s heroines, takes the shawl, she feels more confident and strong. The shawl becomes a talisman for her, helping her through difficult times.
Feminist Themes and Social Commentary
Moreover, Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles raises questions about justice and social responsibility. Mrs. Wright kills her husband because she sees no way out of her difficult situation. She does not receive support from her husband and feels lonely and isolated from society.
The bird she saves symbolizes her hope for a better future, freedom, and the opportunity to start over. Thus, the play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell is not only a story about Mrs. Wright and her husband but also about broader issues of social injustice and human freedom. The play makes viewers think about how we treat others and what values we attach to our freedom.
An important symbol in the play is the kitchen. The kitchen in this play symbolizes life in the house, where everything happens behind closed doors. Mrs. Wright spent most of her life in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning up after her husband. She felt protected in the kitchen, but at the same time, she was oppressed and suppressed. Ultimately, the kitchen became where Mrs. Wright decided to commit murder.
The Power of Symbols in Revealing Truth
In addition, Susan Glaspell’s play “Trifles” can be interpreted in the context of feminist studies. Mrs. Wright’s story is an example of how a woman can become a victim of violence from a man and find herself in a hopeless situation. The symbol of the bird that Mrs. Wright saves can be interpreted as a symbol of female freedom and independence, which women are often denied.
Overall, “Trifles” leaves a deep emotional impression on the viewer and makes one think about important social and life issues. Symbols in the play allow for conveying complex ideas and emotions without excessive words and descriptions. It exemplifies how art can raise critical social issues and provoke the audience to think about them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using symbols in “Trifles” helps show the depth of human relationships and the problems we may experience daily. Symbols in the play have an important role, as they help to show the characters in their true light and give the audience a better understanding of what is happening on stage. In the end, Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles” leaves the viewer with deep thoughts about what happens behind closed doors and how important it is to be free and independent in our decisions and actions.
Work Cited
Glaspell, Susan. Trifles: A Play in One Act. Walter H. Baker, 1924.