In the drama “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell, we are introduced to two female characters named Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale. Even though both characters are vital to the development of the theme and plot of this play, the character of Mrs. Hale deeply contributes to the important elements of plot, theme, and the development of the other characters. However, I feel it would do both of these characters, as well as Glaspell’s theme of the unity in women, an injustice if I do not discuss both of them.
Mrs. Hale is the wife of the farmer Lewis Hale, she is of a heavier build than Mrs. Peters – wife to the sheriff—, and she resents the condescending attitude displayed to her by the men in general. Mrs. Hale seems to have more contempt for Henderson…show more content… Wright; without the presence of these two women the audience would never know of the men’s reactions and thoughts on women as well as the type of men these characters are. Mrs. Hale has known Mrs. Wright for many years, she remembers when Mrs. Wright was the young Minnie Foster who used to be happy and sing. Mrs. Hale has a very important, if not the most important role, in the play by building a connection of empathy for Mrs. Wright. In the play we never encounter Mrs. Wright except through Mrs. Hale’s memories and the description of the day Mr. Hale saw her. At the beginning of Trifles, Mrs. Wright is an unknown character whose behavior, in Mr. Hale's account, is “queer” and anxious. But, by the play’s conclusion, the substance of her character and life has been revealed through Mrs. Hale's memories, along with a few small details found on the first floor of her house by Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. Due to these memories and findings, her character becomes the subject of sympathy and, by the end, of empathy. Since Mr. Hale’s details are told to the audience before any other
