Is it an effective technique that in Glaspell’s “Trifles,” Mrs. Wright is the central focus of the play but never appears on stage herself?  

Prompt

Is it an effective technique that in Glaspell’s “Trifles,” Mrs. Wright is the central focus of the play but never appears on stage herself?  

Parameters

You must make a substantive and thoughtful initial post of 250 words or more to one of the questions, incorporating MLA citation and a Works Cited. 

Readings

Meyer, Michael and D. Quentin Miller. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing, 12th ed., Macmillan Learning, 2020.

• “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell

Sample Solution

In Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles,” the central focus of the play is Mrs. Wright, who never appears on stage. This technique is considered effective in creating a sense of mystery and suspense. Through the conversations and actions of the other characters, the audience is able to gain a sense of who Mrs. Wright is and what may have led to her husband’s murder.

The fact that Mrs. Wright is not present on stage creates an interesting dynamic, as the other characters talk about her as if she is not there, further emphasizing her isolation and loneliness. This also allows the audience to form their own opinions about Mrs. Wright and the situation without being influenced by a physical portrayal of her.

In addition, the absence of Mrs. Wright on stage allows the other characters to speak freely and reveal their own biases and prejudices, thus exposing the gender and power dynamics present in the play. The male characters believe they are the experts in the investigation of Mr. Wright’s murder and dismiss the women as “trifles,” but it is the women who eventually uncover the truth about Mrs. Wright and the murder. This highlight the theme of the play about the limitations imposed on women and the lack of respect for their opinions and abilities.

Overall, the technique of having Mrs. Wright as the central focus but not appearing on stage contributes to the effectiveness of “Trifles” as a play. It creates a sense of mystery and suspense, allows the audience to form their own opinions about the characters, and highlights the play’s themes of isolation, gender dynamics, and power.

Reference:

Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles.” The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing, edited by Michael Meyer and D. Quentin Miller, 12th ed., Macmillan Learning, 2020, pp. 1406-1418.