The plays Bagatelles and A Dollhouse use the literary tool of symbolism to depict the way women were treated throughout the 19th century. Susan Glaspell uses the birdcage and the dead bird to signify the role and lives of women in marriage and society, while Henrik Ibsen uses the doll's house. These symbols allow the reader to recognize the play's main similarities in the treatment of women, such as the fact that men view women as insignificant and treat them as property; however, the plays depict the women's lifestyles as different, which seals their fate. To begin with, in both plays, men view women as insignificant. In Trifles, when Mrs. Wright is being held in prison for the alleged murder of her husband, she worries about the cold and wonders if it will cause her fruit to freeze, causing the jars to burst. After the women come across a broken jar of canned fruit, they discuss Mrs. Wright's concern about it. Mrs. Peters states, “She said the fire would go out and her jars would break” (Glaspell 918). The women here identify with Ms. Wright's concerns because they understand the hard work that canning requires as part of the demanding responsibilities they have as homemakers. The sheriff’s response is “In custody for murder and worried about her reserves” (Glaspell 918). In other words, men perceive the event as insignificant; they clearly see women as a subjugated group whose concerns are of little importance. Likewise, the reader can understand this treatment in A Dollhouse, when Torvald complains to Nora that he spent Christmas time the previous year making frivolous ornaments instead of devoting it to his family. Torvald says: “It was the most boring three weeks I've ever spent! » (Ibsen 1207). He believes his role is...... middle of paper ...... and small hands–"(Ibsen 1207). Actually, what the husband means is that he wants that his wife stays like a doll and any kind of hard work can harm her image in the dollhouse Ultimately, Nora wants to get out of her fancy dollhouse and become her own person, while Mrs. Wright, who was isolated, impecunious and without outside resources, thought her only option was murder Overall, Glaspell and Ibsen's use of the birdcage, the dead bird and the doll's house allow the reader to. identify with 19th century women and the roles they played Throughout the plays, the reader can visualize how men view women as insignificant and treat them as property, even though their lifestyles are very contrasting. The playwrights each address in their own way the issues that have had a negative impact on the identity of women in society...