Setting in Trifles

Introduction

Setting is as instrumental to the meaning of a piece of literature by deeply affecting its consequences, as are the characters, point of view, and plot. The physical plus time details of the setting become connected with values, ideals, and attitudes of the characters.

Discussion

The details of the setting of Susan Glaspell's one-act play Trifles leave clues for solving the murder. Glaspell employs easy but effectual factors in the setting to make suspense as an attempt is made to solve the mysterious murder that has happened on the John and Minnie Wright farm. Three men and two women are the just characters that come along on a simple kitchen stage in the play.

The three men (county attorney, sheriff, and a neighboring farmer) come in and exit quite a few times whilst discussing and searching evidence and motive of the murder.

In the meantime, the two women (sheriff's Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Petersand farmer's wives) stay on stage, taking notice of plus talking about Mrs. Wright's “little things” in the kitchen (Glaspell 461). The men build light of the small things that the women observe, particularly as to how Mrs. Wright was reflecting to construct the quilt. As the women talk and share experiences of their own plus those of Mrs. Wright, they start to form a feminine bond.

The time period in which a piece of literature is cast seriously have an effect on the meaning of the writing. Values, ideals, as well as postures of people change with time and circumstances. To recognize this factor of setting is critical to the understanding of action in literature.

Trifles was published in 1916 and is set through the latter half of the 19th century (Waterman). Throughout this time, women in the America had not been allowed the right to vote ...