Abstract:

Feminism emerged as an intellectual movement in 1884, protesting gender inequity, patriarchy's dominating attitude, and violence against women. The first wave of feminists fought for two major issues: equality and political rights. Women's right to vote played a crucial part because they wanted to be heard as citizens and to be acknowledged as human beings equal to males after witnessing men insisting on being superior to women in all fields of life. Women were enslaved by the convention of femininity, which defined feminine attributes and behaviors. Social and cultural norms shaped the fate of women who were confined to their homes. The Victorian ideal of the subservient, domestic, good-tempered, modest, and charming woman was all that was required of women. The patriarchy set the rules for women's social duties. Glaspell became intrigued by the story due to her inspiration and began writing her play Trifles. Minnie's miserable and lonely life at home is at the center of the story. Despite her husband's good mental and physical condition, Minnie is driven insane by his heinous crimes. As a result, once her husband killed the bird, she ran out of tolerance. She exacts vengeance on him in a fit of rage. Glaspell does not repeat what she has seen in the past. Instead, she intended to depict the concept of justice from a female perspective and how the legal system is displayed to differentiate justice based on gender. Therefore, this paper aims to show, through employing symbols, what Glaspell aimed to reflect by writing this play.

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