Symbolism In Susan Glaspells A Jury Of Her Peers - 827 Words

Its not what you did, its why you did it. Susan Glaspells A Jury of Her Peers describes the murder investigation of John Wright. Townspeople assumed Minnie Wright is guilty of murdering her husband and as a result, she is imprisoned so that a group of men can inspect her home for clues. The men bring along two women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, to gather some personal belongings for Mrs. Wright. The men search for a motive to prove Mrs. Wright’s guilt meanwhile, the women discover why she committed the crime and judge her justified in her action. Through theme, symbolism, and imagery, Glaspell illustrates that oppressed women form bonds and have a different perception of events than men. Glaspell shows that the shared experiences of†¦show more content†¦When the two women come across the empty, broken bird-cage, they ponder the reason for the broken door and the fate of the canary who occupied it. Later they discover the dead bird wrapped in silk with its neck broken, presumably by the hands of Mr. Wright. The bird symbolizes Minnie Foster, the young choir girl. The dead bird symbolizes Minnie after marriage, when she loses her spirit, and the cage symbolizes her husband who mistreats and isolates her. While describing Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Hale compares her to the bird when she says to Mrs. Peters, She used to sing real pretty herself†. ( 576) Literary critic Janet Stobbs Wright states, Only as a picture emerges of the way in which Minnie Foster has been changed by her marriage to John Wright, is a process of identification between the two women initiated. Mrs. Wright’s apron is also a symbol of oppression suffered by women. With dullness, she pleats it while giving details of her husband’s death. From the jail where it is obviously of no use to her, she requests that the apron be brought to her. The apron represents her identity of being a subservient housewife. The murder of her husband stripped her of this identity likewise, her marriage had taken her former identity of a choir girl. Being labeled a criminal is uncomfortable for her therefore, the want of her apron reflects that she has not yet accepted this new identity. Mrs. Peters seems to understand the need for her apron as she states, â€Å"I supposeShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Use of Symbolism in Susan Glaspells a Jury of Her Peer933 Words   |  4 PagesSAMPLE ON THE USE OF SYMBOLISM IN SUSAN GLASPELLS A JURY OF HER PEER Susan Glaspells short story, A Jury of Her Peers, was written long before the modern womens movement began, yet her story reveals, through Glaspells use of symbolism, the role that women are expected to play in society. Glaspell illustrates how this highly stereotypical role can create oppression for women and also bring harm to men as well. Character names are very important in A Jury of her Peers. The two characters,Read MoreFeminism at Its Best810 Words   |  3 Pagescentury. In â€Å"A Jury of Her Peers,† Susan Glaspell articulates the suffrage women of her time had to endure brought on by the weaker sex stereotype that had plagued the human brain for quite some time. Annenberg Learner states that the short story is based on a true event Susan Glaspell had covered in 1900 while working as a reporter for Des Moines Daily News (Annenberg Learner; Glaspell 179). At first, â€Å"A Jury of Her Peers† was known as a play by Glaspell called â€Å"Trifles.† A year later, Susan GlaspellRead MoreSusan Glaspell s `` The Yellow Wallpaper `` And A Jury Of Her Peers ``2004 Words   |  9 Pagesfor fairness even in today’s society. This everlasting battle can be seen in both â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and â€Å"A Jury of Her Peers† by Susan Glaspell. Gilman ’s story revolves around a woman who has postpartum depression. 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As the sheriff and others go to the Wrights’ house, the suggestion is made that those empowered by law to cast judgement and those with an understanding of fairness are not always the same, and thus justice may not be served. Using symbolism, along with the title of theRead MoreThe Role Of Women In The Doll House And Trifles1667 Words   |  7 Pageswomen have been handed a subservient role to her male counterpoint. Females in the late 19th and early 20th century were treated like a second-class citizen, and were thought of as being the weaker sex. It was the women’s job to stay home to cook and raise the children. While these are still prevalent issues, it is also true that things has gotten better for some women in recent years. Works like â€Å"The Doll House† by Henrik Ibsen and â€Å"Trifles† by Susan Glaspell have helped advance the idea of what