Trifles is a fascinating murder mystery drama in which John Wright is strangled to death inside his home. His wife, Mrs. Wright, is the suspect, but Mr. Hale and the County Attorney overlook important clues because of their disregard for “woman stuff.” Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters take more of a notice of these things and find Mrs. Wright’s pet canary dead. They are able to figure out that it was what caused Mrs. Wright to snap and kill her husband. The women decide to hide the bird, the only evidence to solving the crime, to protect her.


There are many themes in this play, but women and femininity is the major one. In a world ruled by men, women feel trapped, underappreciated, and abused. The audience is left to root for the women who help Mrs. Wright get away with murder because of the way the men of the time are shown to treat women. In a world where the rules are created by men, a woman getting away with one of the most harshly punishable crimes is a good twist of irony. This theme is seen again throughout Mrs. Peters’ trip from a housewife to a lawbreaker as well as Mrs. Hale’s speaking out against men’s sexist remarks. ( )

I thought Trifles was a good short and sweet play, a lot happens in it in a brief time. It's like a mini mystery novel that shows how women tend to have a understanding with each other when it comes to marital problems and how men are blind to them. I also love how Minnie, the farmers wife, isn't in the play with dialog, but she feels like the main character and you get to know what she is like and what she went through. ( )

I read this play, the short story that was written a year later (A Jury of Her Peers), and an article by Marina Angel about using the two texts in a law class. The play and the story made me feel uncomfortable because of the way women are treated. After reading Angel's article, I was able to really understand and appreciate what a great writer Glaspell was. Every single sentence contributes to the overall message of how disenfranchised women were not that long ago. Angel also points out that a system of justice that was created by men and administered by men is not able to accomodate the different points of view that women will bring to the courtroom. The play and short story are well worth reading if you're willing to invest a little time and effort into really understanding Glaspell's message. ( )

A very human look at the effects of our cruelty toward one another. This murderess is no monster, but her life of quiet desperation led her to the point of no return. One act of cruelty was all it took. ( )