Final answer:
In 'Trifles', symbols such as the quilt, birdcage, and canary reveal themes of identity and entrapment. Character development shows Mrs. Peters' and Mrs. Hale's growing empathy and internal conflict. The farmhouse setting foreshadows events and mirrors Minnie's life, while dramatic irony highlights the underestimation of women's insight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symbols in 'Trifles'
In Susan Glaspell's play Trifles, various objects become symbols representing larger themes. Notably, Minnie Wright's identity is symbolically reflected by her absence and references to her past life as Minnie Foster. The quilt she is working on, the broken birdcage, and the dead canary all serve as symbolic elements. The quilt symbolizes Minnie's life and the care she puts into her home, and its incomplete state alongside erratic stitching represents her disturbed state of mind. The birdcage suggests Minnie's own entrapment in an abusive marriage, while the dead canary, once a source of her happiness, mirrors how her own spirit has been killed.
Character Development
Through the play, characters such as Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale evolve from their initial views and begin to empathize with Minnie's situation, leading them to conceal crucial evidence. Their development uncovers themes of solidarity among women and the critique of gender roles. This transformation also highlights the internal conflict within these characters as they grapple with their sense of justice versus loyalty to their sex
Impact of Setting
The play's setting in the Wright's farmhouse contributes to the mood and foreshadows the story's events. The isolation and dreariness emphasize the lonely life led by Minnie and the societal expectations of women at that time. The setting also acts as a physical manifestation of Minnie's mental state and her relationship with her husband.
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is used effectively in Trifles as the male characters, who are in positions of authority, overlook key evidence that the female characters notice and understand. This element of the play reinforces the message that societal underestimation of women’s insight leads to significant oversights in judgment.