Final answer:
In 'Trifles,' empathy is crucial for understanding the characters and drives the plot. Without empathy, the ending and thematic depth would change, resulting in a lack of solidarity and moral choices amongst the female characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Susan Glaspell's play Trifles, empathy plays a pivotal role in understanding the characters' actions and shaping the plot. The women characters, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, uncover the emotional turmoil and the oppressive circumstances of Minnie Wright, which leads them to empathize with her situation. Their empathy is shown when they conceal critical evidence, which suggests Minnie's motive for the murder of her husband. This act of concealment stems from their understanding and shared experiences of the hardships of being a woman in a patriarchal society.
If empathy were absent from the play, the ending would likely be quite different. The women might have not formed a bond over the discovered evidence, potentially leading to a conclusion where Minnie Wright is unequivocally condemned for her husband's murder. The emotional connection and subsequent actions taken by Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are instrumental in constructing a narrative that criticizes the societal norms and expectations imposed upon women. Without empathy, that critical perspective is lost, and the play’s thematic depth would undoubtedly be diminished.
Furthermore, empathy within the play fosters deeper connections between characters. It allows them to relate to each other's suffering and the unspoken hardships of their lives, thus reinforcing the bond between Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale. The empathy they demonstrate serves as a counterbalance to the men's dismissive attitudes, highlighting the theme of female solidarity against male ignorance and dominance. This shapes the plot by driving the women to make a moral choice that defies the legal and societal expectations of the time.