Susan Glaspell’s Trifles is a one-act play that was originally written as a short story in 1916 The story is set in a Midwestern farmhouse and is the story of an investigation into the murder of the farmer John Wright. The investigation is led by the Sheriff, his wife and their other men. The women in the story, Mrs. Hale and her neighbor Mrs. Peters, are initially dismissed as trifles in the investigation but eventually provide the key evidence that reveals the perpetrator of the crime.
The following are five interesting essay topics related to Susan Glaspell’s Trifles:
1. Analyze the role of gender in Trifles: The story is set in a time where the roles of men and women were highly differentiated, and this can be seen in Trifles through the attitudes and assumptions of the men towards the women’s contribution to the investigation. Discuss how gender plays a role in the plot and characterization of the story.
2. Explore the use of setting in Trifles: The use of the setting as a character in itself is an important theme in Trifles, with the farmhouse not only being the scene of the crime but also providing clues and insight into the plot. Analyze the relationship between setting, characters and plot in Trifles.
3. Analyze the symbolism in Trifles: Symbols are used throughout the play to convey several themes, such as the powerlessness of women and the importance of justice. Discuss what symbolism is used in the play, and how it contributes to the story’s overall meaning.
4. Examine the theme of justice in Trifles: The play addresses the theme of justice everywhere, from the law to individual morality. Analyze how justice is presented in the play and what its implications are.
5. Compare and contrast Trifles to Glaspell’s other work: Glaspell was a prolific writer, and several of her short stories, novels and plays address similar themes and use similar techniques. Compare and contrast Trifles to some of Glaspell’s other works, and discuss what they have in common and how they differ.