In part two of Trifles, an example of dramatic irony is when the male characters, the sheriff and the attorney, dismiss the women’s observations and evidence as unimportant and trivial, while the women quietly uncover the truth about the murder of John Wright, which the men are trying to solve. The audience is aware of this discrepancy, creating a sense of tension and irony.
Trifles, a play written by Susan Glaspell in 1916, explores themes of gender roles and isolation in rural America. The play follows the investigation of the murder of John Wright, a farmer who was killed in his sleep. In part two of the play, the characters discover a clue that sheds light on the motive for the murder. This moment contains an example of dramatic irony, where the audience knows something that the characters do not.
The moment of dramatic irony occurs when Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale discover the dead canary in the box. The women are in the kitchen, which is described as a “gloomy kitchen” with “dirty towels” and a sink full of dishes. As they look around the room, they notice a small birdcage with a broken door. Mrs. Peters picks up the cage and examines it, noticing that there is no bird inside. Mrs. Hale then reveals that she had previously seen a canary in John Wright’s kitchen, indicating that the missing bird must have been the canary.
This moment is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the canary was important to Mrs. Wright, but the characters do not realize its significance. Earlier in the play, the men investigating the murder dismissed the idea of the canary being important evidence, stating that “a bird don’t mean nothing.” However, the canary’s absence from the cage indicates that someone had taken it out and potentially killed it, revealing a possible motive for the murder.
The canary represents Mrs. Wright’s desire for companionship and joy, which she lacked in her unhappy marriage. When the women discover the dead canary, they understand the significance of the bird and sympathize with Mrs. Wright’s plight. Mrs. Peters remarks that “she [Mrs. Wright] must have been awful lonely” and Mrs. Hale adds that “we all go through the same things – it’s all just a different kind of the same thing.”
The moment of dramatic irony in Trifles highlights the disconnect between the male and female characters’ perspectives. The men investigating the murder overlook the significance of the canary, dismissing it as unimportant evidence. In contrast, the women recognize the canary as a symbol of Mrs. Wright’s loneliness and isolation. This disparity in perspective reveals the gender roles and power dynamics at play in rural America during this time period.
Furthermore, the moment of dramatic irony also reveals the theme of isolation in the play. Mrs. Wright’s lack of companionship is emphasized throughout the play, from her empty rocking chair to her unfinished quilt. The discovery of the dead canary reinforces this theme, highlighting the consequences of Mrs. Wright’s isolation. Instead of seeking help or support, she takes matters into her own hands and potentially commits murder.
In conclusion, the moment of dramatic irony in part two of Trifles occurs when Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale discover the dead canary in the box. This moment highlights the significance of the bird as evidence and symbolizes Mrs. Wright’s desire for companionship and joy. The disconnect between the male and female characters’ perspectives emphasizes the gender roles and power dynamics at play in rural America during this time period. The theme of isolation is also reinforced, showcasing the consequences of neglecting one’s emotional needs. Ultimately, this moment serves as a turning point in the play, revealing the motivation behind the murder and the complex emotions of the characters involved.
