Symbols in Susan Glaspell's Trifles: The Birdcage

Susan Glaspell's play, Trifles, is a really interesting piece that digs deep into gender roles and how power works in relationships. The symbols Glaspell uses give us more to think about when it comes to the themes and characters. One of the big symbols is the birdcage, which pops up a few times. So, what's up with the birdcage? It's all about confinement, oppression, and the longing for freedom.

The Birdcage as a Sign of Confinement

The birdcage in Trifles is like a strong image of being stuck. Just like the bird in the cage can't get out, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are stuck too. They're boxed in by what society expects from women back then—do your chores, listen to your husband, don’t step outta line. The cage stands for these limits on women’s lives during that time, showing us they had no real freedom or control over their own lives. Then there's Mrs. Wright, who's kind of caught in her own invisible birdcage by her husband who's not exactly winning any awards for 'Nice Guy of the Year.'

Oppression Through a Birdcage

The birdcage also screams oppression. Back then, it was pretty much a man’s world, and this little cage shows that off perfectly. It’s kinda like how the men in the play are always brushing off what the women think or say—they act like only their views matter and they know best about everything. The birdcage is like their way of saying, "Stay quiet," keeping women down so they don’t rock the boat too much.

A Symbol of Yearning for Freedom

But wait, there’s more! The birdcage isn’t just about being trapped; it's also about wanting to break free. The poor bird inside is just like Mrs. Wright—she wants out of her awful marriage situation and wants to find herself again. And as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters start putting together what happened to Mrs. Wright, they begin to see why sticking together might be a way to find some freedom themselves.

Conclusion: The Bigger Picture

In Trifles, the birdcage is more than just an object; it pulls together many ideas and feelings into one place. It shows how women felt locked away and controlled but also hints at their hope for something better—freedom through understanding each other and maybe changing things up together. This cage pushes everyone watching or reading to think hard about what holds people back and how maybe we can bust out of those chains if we work together with empathy.

References

• Ben-Zvi, L., & Glaspell, S. (2005). Susan Glaspell: Her Life and Times. Oxford University Press.
• Bendel-Simso, M., & Cummings, R.M.J (1994). "Preserving Domesticity: Reading Susie Glaspell's 'Trifles'." Modern Drama, 37(3), 520-529.
• Makowsky, V., & Garvey H.Q (1980). "Susan Glaspell's Trifles: The First Major American Feminist Drama." The Midwest Quarterly, 21(3), 280-290.
• Noël, J.D.P (1996). "'The Silenced Voice in Susan Glaspell's 'Trifles.''" Papers on Language & Literature, 32(1), 74-96.
• Londré F.H., Wasserman J.N (1997). The History of North American Theater: From Pre-Columbian Times to the Present. Continuum International Publishing Group.