Analysis of Plots and Symbols in Susan Glaspell's Trifles - Journal

This assignment analyzes Susan Glaspell's play 'Trifles,' focusing on its plot structure and symbolic elements. The essay explores the five elements of plot within the play, which include mystery, feminism, the psychology of male and female characters, family drama, and the play's resolution. The analysis delves into the representation of freedom and happiness through the symbol of the dead canary and the murder mystery through the investigation scene. The play is interpreted as both a murder mystery and a feminist family drama that addresses societal issues. The essay references the play's real-life inspiration and highlights the playwright's successful portrayal of controversial themes. The analysis uses the provided references to support the points and provide a detailed understanding of the play's literary significance.

Running head: PLOTS AND SYMBOLS IN TRIFLES BY SUSAN GLASPELL
Plots and Symbols in Trifles by Susan Glaspell
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1Running head: PLOTS AND SYMBOLS IN TRIFLES BY SUSAN GLASPELL
Trifles is a play written and performed by American novelist and playwright Susan
Glaspell. The play is an one act play that was performed in the Wharf Theatre in
Provincetown, Massachusetts by the Provincetown Players and the author was said to have
played the role of Mrs. Hale herself in the play. The play is known for its plots and symbols
and is anthologized in the American literature textbooks.
The purpose of this essay is to describe the symbols and the plot elements that
play an important role in the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell.
The plot of the play Trifles is loosely based on a real story based on the murder case
that the playwright found as a young reporter. The important element of the plot depends on
the murder trial family drama (Al-Khalili, 132). Therefore, the elements of the plot include
mystery but other elements include feminism, the psychology of the male and the female
characters, the family drama and finally the happy ending of the play.
Two symbols that were represented in the film include the symbols of freedom and
happiness and that of the murder mystery it presents. The first symbol is the dead canary that
the characters of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters discovers in a box which leads them to believe
about the truth in the play (Shih, 240). Similarly, the symbol of the murder mystery is
presented in the way the sheriff and the other officers start investigating the scene of the
crime. These two symbols tell us about the events taking place in the play (Shih, 240).
Trifles by Susan Glaspell is not only a murder mystery but also a feminist family
drama which is based on the true story of the murder which the playwright discovered as a
young journalist. Through the murder mystery, the playwright has successfully managed to
portray the controversial issues of the society.

2Running head: PLOTS AND SYMBOLS IN TRIFLES BY SUSAN GLASPELL
Reference List
Al-Khalili, Raja. "Representations of Rural Women in Susan Glaspell's Trifles." Studies in
Literature and Language 6.1 (2013): 132.
Shih, Yi-chin. "Place and Gender in Susan Glaspell." 78 (2013): 237-256.