Final answer:
The "dead canary" in Trifles symbolizes John Wright's brutality, represents Minnie Wright's silent rebellion, and suggests a motive for Minnie's actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Trifles, the significance of the "dead canary" is multifaceted. Firstly, it suggests John Wright's inherent brutal nature as evidenced by the cruel act of silencing something as delicate and joyous as a singing bird. The secret of its death represents a silent rebellion, symbolizing Minnie Foster's, now Mrs. Wright's, suppressed desires and her eventual act of defiance against her oppressive husband.
Finally, the canary's fate hints at a possible motive for Minnie's desperate action—it is the death of what little beauty and joy she had in her life, becoming a metaphor for her own strangled spirit in her marriage.