Final answer:
A) The story satirizes the societal expectation that marriage is essential for a woman's security and happiness, as seen through character representations and themes of independence, gender roles, and the contrasting treatment of single men and women.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement being supported claims that the story is a satire ridiculing the importance of A) marriage to a woman's security and happiness.
In examining the provided references, the story seems to present a view of marriage as a constraining societal expectation, particularly for women, which points to satirical elements.
For example, the story described by Austen involves Mrs. Bennet, who embodies the period's attitude that marriage is crucial for a woman's social advancement and financial security, highlighting the societal constraints on women during that time. This characterization alone elicits a critical stance on marriage as a necessity for women's success.
Another example is from Glaspell's work, where the action unfolds in a kitchen in disarray, with men criticizing female concerns as 'trifles.'
The societal expectation that a woman's primary role is that of a housewife is mocked by the fact that women in the story see significance in what the men dismiss.
The withholdment of evidence by women arguably underlines the flaws in the legal and social systems regarding marriage and gender roles.
Furthermore, single women facing pressure to marry and the disparagement of their single status reflect the strong societal emphasis on marriage for security and happiness, as does the contrasting portrayal of single men.
This scrutiny and the evolution towards independence and confidence in single life amongst women can be interpreted as criticism of the social significance placed on marriage.