Comparison Of Trifles And The Yellow Wallpaper - 735 Words

Significant Trifles Trifles by Susan Glaspell and â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman are two bodies of work that follow specific events in women’s lives. These particular conflicts highlight the gap in treatment and understanding between men and women in the earlier twentieth century. Within both stories the authors convey the gender roles expected of them and how they are treated when they are seen as stepping out of those roles by speaking out or acting differently. Trifles shows quite clearly the the disconnect in thinking between men and women soon into the story. The ladies support and understand what one goes through when being the homemaker. There is very hard work involved in maintaining the home as well as†¦show more content†¦A clear example of unfair treatment and diminishing the efforts of women can be found in Trifles. It is obvious what men think about them. â€Å"Well, women are used to worrying over trifles† (1158). T his particular line really sets the tone for how women are viewed and and the type of treatment they receive. Every little thing they do, they do with a purpose, they maintain the household, take care of their husbands but men see it as little things that do not matter. They are disrespected and looked down upon for not fulfilling certain duties while men overlook what the purpose for it was in the first place. Gilman also conveys the negative treatment and impact it these roles have. Even a woman’s mental health was not seen as important enough to pay attention to. There is a beautiful shaded lane that runs down there from the arbors, but John has cautioned me not to give way to fancy in the least. He says that with my imaginative power and habit of story-making, a nervous weakness like mine is sure to lead to all manner of excited fancies, and that I ought to use my will and good sense to check the tendency. So I try. (529) The main character’s mental issues are diminished simply because she is a woman. Men see them as highly emotional and irrational and dismiss their feelings based on that. Her husband thinks just because he is a doctor and she is just his wife he knowsShow MoreRelatedThe Story Of An Hour, By The Yellow Wallpaper, And Trifles999 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†, and â€Å"Trifles†, the authors all question the institution of marriage through the emerging theme of the oppression of women. In each of these works, women are shown trapped in confining marriages. While marriage is supposed to be seen as one of the most beautiful and perfect sanctities life has to offer, these authors portray it as more of a bittersweet agony that women are forced to endure. Chopin, Gilman, and Glaspell use a combination of symbolism