Symbols In Trifles

In Glaspell's drama Trifles, she conveys a theme that relationships can be oppressive. Three symbols used to convey the theme are the cage, the rope, and the bird. In the drama Trifles, Glaspell uses the cage as a symbol to represent the marriage. About half way into the drama Mrs. Hale begins to make comments about the house, Mrs. Hale. It never seemed a very cheerful place.
This shows a relationship between the marriage and the setting. It resembles an unhappy place, much like a prison; furthermore, a cage can be seen as a prison for a bird. Mrs. Hale then notices details about the cage. Mrs. Hale. Why, look at this door. It’s broke. One hinge is pulled apart.
The broke door represents freedom for Minnie (Mr. Wright’s Wife),
Hale remembers a time when Minnie Foster was a bright character and would sing with all of her heart, much like a bird would; however this would not last long Mrs. Hale begins to make comments regarding Mr. Wright, Mrs. Hale. She used to sing He killed that too.
Mrs. Hale is stating that once Minnie married Mr. Wright he began to change her and conform her to the way he wanted things; thus, causing Minnie to give up singing, like the dead bird. Again Mrs. Hale makes comments, but this time towards Minnie. Mrs. Hale. …she was kind of like a bird herself- real sweet, but kind of timid and- fluttery.
The traits of a bird match Minnie to a tee! Before she married Mr. Wright she was sweet and outgoing, but once she got married she became real introvert. Mr. Wright took something that Minnie Foster held close to her and killed it, her personality, which represents the dead bird. In Glaspell's drama Trifles, she conveys a theme that relationships can be oppressive. Glaspell uses three symbols to show this theme, the cage, the rope, and the bird. The cage represents the marriage itself and how it resembled a prison. The rope represents death and destruction of characters and personalities. Finally the bird represents Minnie, and the slow decent of her