Susan Glaspell wrote “Trifles” in the early 1900’s long before the modern women’s movement began. Symbolism is used in the play so that the audience is able to see through the eyes of Minnie Wright, and determine why she killed her husband. Character’s names, the bird, and a quilt are three key symbols Glaspell uses in the play to provide the audience with the insight on the never heard, or seen characters, Minnie …showed first 75 words of 637 total…

…showed last 75 words of 637 total…dominance that was in the Wright’s house. The bird symbolized Minnie’s personality, and spirit, and how it was suppressed and literally murdered; and last but not least the quilt symbolized Minnie’s life, and also the choices that she made concerning her husband’s murder. This was an excellent way to get the audience involved in the play, and the use of symbolism encouraged one to think about what was actually going on.