Symbolism In Susan Glaspell's Trifles

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Symbolism-“Trifles” Upon reading Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles,” the use of symbolism through certain objects conveys a different, yet significant, meaning to the story. Glaspell uses household items throughout the play to portray a particular lifestyle in which women lived in the early 20th century. An apron, a birdcage, a small bird, and the title “Trifles” are used to symbolize security, confinement, and happiness. As the play progresses, the symbols have a deeper meaning to the women and the reader. In the beginning of the play, Minnie Wright is sitting in her rocking chair pleating her apron and acting unusual. This gives the reader a reason to believe that there is something wrong because the apron is to be used in the kitchen and not to fiddle with. Minnie uses her apron as a sense…show more content…
Peters and Mrs. Hale find the birdcage hidden in the kitchen cabinets, it is a form of symbolism to the confinement Minne was experiencing in her own home. Mrs. Hale also makes a point to the men that she doesn’t communicate with her neighbor as much as she would have liked because the house “never seemed a cheerful place.” The lack of communication to those outside of her house may have lead Minnie to her decision to murder her husband. The broken hinge on the birdcage and the dead bird leads the reader to believe that Mr. Wright was an abusive husband. The bird symbolizes the true essence of Minne’s spirit and happiness. Just like Mr. Wright killed the bird, he also “killed” his wife’s singing spirit. Minnie also wrapped the dead bird in silk fabric indicating the deeper meaning of the bird in her life. She wants to hold on to her passion and joy of singing by keeping the delicate bird in a safe place. In addition, the dead bird in a turning point in the resolution of the murder. When the women find the dead bird, they come to the conclusion that the bird was the motive for why Minnie killed the bird. When he killed the bird, he killed her along with
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