Final answer:
In 'Trifles' by Susan Glaspell, the general theme is the pursuit of justice, and the feminist theme is women's solidarity and understanding, portraying the dynamics of gender inequality and the connection among women under patriarchal oppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell, we can identify both general and feminist themes. The general theme is the pursuit of justice, as evidenced by the investigation of Minnie Wright's involvement in her husband's death. Throughout the play, the characters seek to uncover the truth behind the incident, reflecting society's complex relationship with the concept of justice. Meanwhile, the feminist theme is women's solidarity and understanding. This theme is demonstrated by the two women in the play, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, who discover clues and understand the plight of Minnie Wright in a way the male characters do not. They connect with Minnie over shared experiences of being undervalued and oppressed by a patriarchal society.
Glaspell uses the domestic space to symbolize the confinement of women to the private sphere and their associated lack of recognition and identity. Minnie's loss of personal identity after marriage and her husband's suppression of her singing represent the larger issue of male dominance and how it stifles women. Therefore, while the pursuit of justice serves as a general theme, the feminist themes of women's solidarity, suppression, and understanding are central to understanding the dynamics at play. These themes highlight the gender inequality and the unique bond that forms among women in the face of mutual oppression.