Final answer:
The sparrow with the broken neck in 'Trifles' symbolizes how Mr. Wright metaphorically wrung the life out of Mrs. Wright, resembling her stifled happiness and parallels his own death by strangulation. This symbolism aligns with Mrs. Wright's experiences and the suppression she faced in her marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Susan Glaspell's play Trifles, the sparrow with the broken neck most likely symbolizes the life of Mrs. Wright, previously known as Minnie Foster, and how it was metaphorically 'wrung' out of her by her husband. The sparrow represents not only her lost happiness and the joy she found in singing, akin to the bird's song, but also her lack of children and the silence of her home. The broken neck of the bird dramatically parallels Mr. Wright's death by strangulation, suggesting that Mrs. Wright may have killed the bird as well as her husband in response to her stifled life. Important evidence for understanding the symbolism of the bird is the conversation between Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, where the bird and Mrs. Wright's possible motivations are discussed, including the details about Mr. Wright's hard nature and the couple's childless and quiet home.
The correct answer to the student's question is Option C: It symbolizes how Mr. Wright wrung the life out of Mrs. Wright by marrying her and being strict. The other options, while pertaining to elements in the play, do not capture the primary symbolic essence of the bird as connected to Mrs. Wright's experiences within her marriage.