Question

Explain how glaspell uses irony to illustrate mistreatment of women in the early twentieth century.

Answer 1

In the play _Trifles_ by Susan Glaspell, irony is certainly used to illustrate the mistreatment by manner of how men lack the respect for women and what they think. The play takes its name, “Trifles,” by how men believe women tend to focus on minor/insignificant things. In looking over the murder scene, it is the insignificant things—the trifles—that end up being clues the women find (what the men overlook and deem non important) that end up leading to solving the murder mystery. It is through this irony that Susan Glaspell illustrates the mistreatment of women in the early twentieth century.

Answer 2

She shows that the men cannot see the situation that is right in front of them.

She makes the audience sympathize with the women because the audience can see what the men cannot.

She shows that men view women’s issues as inferior and unimportant.

She stresses that men choose to ignore women’s concerns.