The play "Trifles," by Susan Glaspell shows how a man's perspective is completely different from a woman's. By dismissing the expected roles of women and viewing their role as something to joke about, the men in this drama lose a vital piece of evidence during a murder investigation. .
Three men and two women enter the kitchen of a now abandoned farmhouse of Mr. and Mrs. Wright. Now enters the Sheriff and Mr. Hale, followed by the County Attorney, George Henderson. Last to enter is the Sheriff's wife, Mrs. Peters, followed by Mrs. Hale. After making a quick observation of Mrs. White's kitchen, the men decide there is nothing here but kitchen things. Leaving the women behind, they conduct their murder investigation in the rest of the house and the barn (1412). They were not thinking that the kitchen is where the woman spends most of her time. The men make an assumption that a woman's work is unimportant, and that is their first mistake. Their condescending tones and joking manner of a woman's things, separate the sexes, and result in the loss evidence that would provide a motive for the murder.
In the early 1900's, a woman's views and opinions did not influence men. Therefore it is quite appropriate when Mr. Hale says, "Well, women are used to worrying over trifles " (Glaspell 1412). Women did not have the opportunity to make important decisions or have their opinions heard. In fact, women were made to feel inferior. In further demonstrating the separation of the sexes, the County Attorney comments on the unkempt kitchen. Mrs. Hale defends Mrs. Wright's kitchen by saying, "There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm. " This statement prompts Mr. Henderson to respond with "Ah, loyal to your sex, I see."" Clearly, the stage is set for a struggle between the sexes. Before the men go upstairs, Mr. Henderson request that the women "keep an eye out for anything that might be of use to us"" (1413).
