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Essay / The importance of female characters in Susan Glaspell's novel...
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, an hypothesis is a belief that something is true or a taken-for-granted fact or statement. Susan Glaspell wrote "Trifles" to demonstrate the male assumption that women are insignificant members in a male-dominated society. Because men underestimate them, women manage to prove that they are not insignificant. Men's inappropriate biases against women can have disastrous consequences, as Glaspell's world demonstrates. Combating these narcissistic assumptions displayed by men can result in a unity among women that can overcome any disrespect and oppression caused by men. The title of this drama “Trifles” demonstrates how men assume that women and their respective actions are seemingly unimportant. Trifles can be used in two forms in English. In verb form, trifle means to treat someone or something as unimportant or unessential. The word trifle in noun form means something of little value or importance. The two definitions of this word give in this story the idea that women are considered insignificant and do not deserve the respect of men. This idea is carried throughout history by the belittling assumptions and attitudes that men have towards women. For example, Hale says, “Well, women are accustomed to worrying about trifles” (1003). Typically, a kitchen represents women's work and the idea of domestic life. In Glaspell's eyes, men tend to assume that nothing important happens in the kitchen, which may be linked to the idea that women are insignificant. As COUNTY ATTORNEY Glaspell writes. I guess we'll go upstairs first – then go to the barn and around. Are you convinced that there was nothing important here – nothing that would suggest any motive? SHERIFF. Nothing here except kitchen stuff. COUNTY ATTORNEY. This is a big mess (1002). This supports the idea that men view women and their respective actions as incompetent and insignificant. Glaspell also demonstrates the hypothesis that men view women as insignificant by expressing men's attitude towards a woman's work..