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Essay / Portrayal of Social Oppression of Women in Trifles by Susan Glaspell
Regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, financial status, or even achievements, women have always been victims of 'oppression. Despite their essential importance in our world, women have been victims of unfair treatment at the hands of men throughout history. Although women today have the same opportunities as men, this was not the case in the early 1900s. Author Susan Glaspell depicts the social oppression of women through key themes and symbols throughout along the Trifles piece. Strict gender roles are shown by Glaspell on several occasions. In this world, men occupy everything. In this regard, the few freedoms that women had are also not appreciated and often neglected: Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original MRS essay. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, its fruit; it froze. (To the lawyer.) She was worried about that when it was so cold. She said the tree would die and its jars would break.SHERIFF. Well can you beat the woman! Detained for murder and worried about his reserves. COUNTY ATTORNEY. I guess before we're done she might have something more serious to worry about. TAN. Well, women are used to worrying about trifles. (The two women get a little closer.) The men's entire lack of care for Minnie's reserves represents social oppression and shows their lack of respect for something she has worked diligently on. Glaspell also demonstrates social oppression by referring to each woman (other than Minnie Wright) only by her husband's last name. Minnie is only given a first name to show her transition from Minnie Foster to Minnie Wright: MRS. HALE (examining the skirt). Wright was close. I think maybe that's why she kept so much to herself. She didn't even belong to Ladies' Aid. I guess she felt like she couldn't do her part, and then you don't appreciate things when you feel like crap. She used to wear pretty clothes and be vivacious, when she was Minnie Foster, one of the town girls who sang in the choir. But that – oh, that was thirty years ago. Glaspell does this to show that women basically have no identity other than that of their husband. Social oppression is also displayed through symbols. The unclean house also represents gender roles and how women are expected to act according to men. Rather than John Wright, or both, being held responsible for the state of the house, only Minnie is blamed for its filth and disorganization: MRS. VIGOROUS. I would hate for men to come into my kitchen, snoop and criticize. (She puts away the pots and pans under the sink that the lawyer had moved.) MRS. ROCK. Of course, this is nothing more than their duty. VIGOROUS. Duty is good, but I guess the deputy who came to start the fire might have done a little. (He pulls the towel out of a roll.) I wish I had thought of this sooner. It seems mean to talk about her for not making sure things were fixed when she had to leave in such a hurry. Women feel uncomfortable being in another woman's house before she has had a chance to tidy up, but housekeeping shouldn't have happened. be the sole responsibility of the woman. Glaspell uses this scene to show that women are supposed to be homebodies who only exist to cook and clean. Keep in mind: this is just a sample...