Analyzing Trifles by Susan Glaspell through a Feminist Lens

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Surname 1 Student Name Professor Name Course Date Research Proposal: Analyzing Trifles by Susan Glaspell through a Feminist Lens 1. Research Question: How does Susan Glaspell's Trifles portray and challenge traditional gender roles, and how do these roles shape the characters' interpretations of justice and morality within the context of the play? 2. Tentative Answer (Thesis): In Trifles, the subjective experiences of the female characters as housewives and mothers prompt an empathic response to Mrs. Wright’s plight, leading to a shift in moral beliefs and justice assessment. By resonating with Mrs Wright’s struggles, Mrs Hales and Mrs. Peters prioritize moral superiority over conventional law, achieving victory without dismantling the existing societal system. The construction of gender roles is not only a reflection of societal norms but also a catalyst for reevaluating moral values. 3. Research Process: I have initiated my research by engaging in feminist literary criticism, emphasizing the exploration of how gender roles are constructed and deconstructed in literature. My preliminary readings include an in-depth study of Susan Glaspell's Trifles and relevant secondary sources that

Surname 2 discuss feminist perspectives in literature. These sources provide a foundation for understanding the broader theoretical framework surrounding gender roles and their implications in the play. 4. Argument Structure: The analysis will primarily adopt a feminist lens to explore the construction of gender roles in Trifles. The argument will unfold through a cause-and-effect structure, examining how gender stereotypes influence the characters' interpretations of justice and morality. I will discuss specific scenes and elements in this paper to illustrate and interpret the complex relationship between the expectations of women in society and the characters' moral decisions. 5. Special Sections to be Analyzed: I will examine different scenes in the text in-depth to understand how gender roles affect characters’ moral choices. For instance, the disorder in Mrs. Wright’s kitchen, her withdrawal after marriage, or the implication of the unfinished quilt exemplify the characters' validation of morality over justice. These scenes are a reflection of the stereotypical casting of women as domestic helps and highlight the intersectionality of morality, gender, and justice. 6. Timeline and Next Steps: Week 12: To conduct an inclusive analysis of Trifles to categorize critical scenes as well as character dynamics. Week 13: Review and integration of insights from several secondary sources to support the thesis and augment the theoretical framework. Week 14: Develop the outline and organization of the research paper to have a logical flow of arguments.

Surname 3 Drafting of the early version of the paper, with a focus on in-depth argumentation and incorporation of supporting evidence. Week 15: Composing the final draft of the paper with revisions of the early drafts. Annotated Bibliography Bazregarzadeh, Elmira. "Susan Glaspell's "Trifles" in the Light of Ecofeminism." K@ta, vol. 21, no. 1, 2019, pp. 10-16. Summary: This article by Elmira Bazregarzadeh discusses Trifles using the Ecofeminism lens, concentrating on the interconnections between gender subjugation and the exploitation of nature. The study demonstrates how the play can be viewed as an ecofeminist work of literature. Bazregarzadeh discusses the historical setting of patriarchal societies and the oppression of women, stressing the link between the mistreatment of women and the damage to nature. The article also provides an exceptional perspective by relating Ecofeminism to Susan Glaspell's work, bridging a gap in existing research that chiefly focuses on feminist issues, including gender and class. Evaluation: The article is likely reliable as it is published in "K@ta; Surabaya," a scholarly journal. The author, Elmira Bazregarzadeh, is a prominent literary scholar and professor, making her work credible. The article’s focus on ecofeminism and the connections between oppression of women and nature aligns with the ecofeminist perspective, indicating some level of expertise.

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Surname 4 Analysis: This source could be valuable for my research as it focuses on the intersectionality of gender, class, and the environment. It introduces a fresh perspective by applying ecofeminist theory to analyze "Trifles," providing a potential framework for understanding the interdependency between women and nature. The information presented supports the idea that discrimination and oppression of gender and class are linked to the exploitation and destruction of nature. Grose, Janet L. "Susan Glaspell's Trifles and 'A Jury of Her Peers': Feminine Reading and Communication." Short Story Criticism , edited by Jelena O. Krstovic, vol. 132, Gale, 2010. Summary: The essay explores Susan Glaspell's works, "Trifles" and "A Jury of Her Peers," focusing on the communication among female characters and its evolution. Grose argues that while "Trifles" emphasizes patriarchal oppression, "A Jury of Her Peers" shifts the emphasis to feminine communication. The analysis delves into the male characters' condescension toward the women in "Trifles" and the evolving relationship among the female characters as they interpret Minnie Wright's distress. Evaluation: The source is reliable as it is published in Short Story Criticism, a scholarly publication. The author, Janet L. Grose, is a credible source, given her research and analysis of Susan Glaspell's works. The Gale Literature Resource Center is also a reputable database for literary study. Analysis: This source is valuable for understanding the evolution of communication among female characters in Glaspell's works. It provides insights into the gendered interpretation of the plays and offers a lens through which to analyze the dynamics between male and female

Surname 5 characters. The information aligns with the research topic, offering a feminist perspective on the author's intentions. Makowsky, Veronica. "Susan Glaspell's Poetics and Politics of Rebellion." Comparative Drama , vol. 51, no. 3, 2017, pp. 421-423,433 The article delves into Susan Glaspell's work from the perspective of rebellion. The author argues that Glaspell's drama is a form of positive revolt and a source of hope, distinguishing it from other forms of dramatic rebellion that focus solely on accusation. The analysis is organized into sections that explore Glaspell's exposition of the duplicity of American democracy and her portrayal of idealist and individualist rebels in various plays. Evaluation: The source is a book review published in "Comparative Drama," a reputable journal. The book, "Susan Glaspell's Poetics and Politics of Rebellion," authored by Emeline Jouve, is also published by the University of Iowa Press, adding to its reliability. The review critically assesses Jouve's arguments, contributing to evaluating the book's overall reliability. Analysis: This source offers a comprehensive analysis of Glaspell's work, emphasizing the theme of rebellion. It provides insights into how Glaspell's drama proposes solutions rather than just accusations, making it a valuable resource for understanding the positive aspects of rebellion in her plays. The information aligns with the broader context of politics and women's rights, making it relevant to research focusing on these themes. Suzy, Clarkson H. "Silent Justice in a Different Key: Glaspell's "Trifles." The Midwest Quarterly , vol. 44, no. 3, 2003, pp. 282-290 . This journal article by Suzy Clarkson Holstein explores the varying perceptions and choices made by the men and women in Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles" concerning a murder

Surname 6 investigation. The author argues that women's actions and ethical paradigms differ fundamentally from men's, grounded in varying understandings of the home space. The women's way of knowing leads to the discovery of evidence and a moral choice that sets them apart from the men. Evaluation: The source is an article published in "The Midwest Quarterly," a reputable journal. Suzy Clarkson Holstein is a credible scholar and professor of English whose work is prominent. The article elaborately explores the play's themes, offering a scholarly analysis. Analysis: This article is relevant to my paper as it gives a deeper understanding of the ethical and perceptual distinctions between men and women in Trifles. Thus, It is a valuable source for any research focusing on gender dynamics and ethical reflections in Glaspell's works. The evidence supports the notion that the women's way of knowing affects their actions and ethical choices, adding to the play's themes.

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Surname 7 Works Cited Bazregarzadeh, Elmira. "Susan Glaspell's "Trifles" in the Light of Ecofeminism." K@ta, vol. 21, no. 1, 2019, pp. 10-16. ProQuest, http://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.np.edu/scholarly- journals/susan-glaspells-trifles-light-ecofeminism/docview/2430682383/se-2 . Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles.” C. W. E. eds. Plays by Susan Glaspell. Bigsby. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1987. Print. Grose, Janet L. "Susan Glaspell's Trifles and 'A Jury of Her Peers': Feminine Reading and Communication." Short Story Criticism , edited by Jelena O. Krstovic, vol. 132, Gale, 2010. Gale Literature Resource Center , link. https://go-gale-com.ezproxy.np.edu/ps/i.do? p=GLS&u=hot20953&v=2.1&it=r&id=ALE%7CH1420098063&retrievalId=993b8225- feae-4bc6-bb69-8c49d2234329&inPS=true&linkSource=interlink&sid=bookmark- GLS&aty=ip . Accessed 4 Dec. 2023. Originally published in Tennessee Philological Bulletin , vol. 36, 1999, pp. 37-48. Makowsky, Veronica. "Susan Glaspell's Poetics and Politics of Rebellion." Comparative Drama , vol. 51, no. 3, 2017, pp. 421-423,433 . ProQuest , http://search-proquest- com.ezproxy.np.edu/scholarly-journals/susan-glaspells-poetics-politics-rebellion/ docview/1977737895/se-2 doi:https://doi.org/10.1353/cdr.2017.0031 Suzy, Clarkson H. "Silent Justice in a Different Key: Glaspell's "Trifles." The Midwest Quarterly , vol. 44, no. 3, 2003, pp. 282-290 . ProQuest , http://search-proquest- com.ezproxy.np.edu/scholarly-journals/silent-justice-different-key-glaspells-trifles/ docview/195698065/se-2

Analyzing Trifles by Susan Glaspell through a Feminist Lens

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