Trifles by Susan Glaspell, a Concrete Timbre & d'moiselles production in NYC

Summary

In Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles," presented by Concrete Timbre & D'moiselles, the intricate relationships and societal expectations placed on women at the turn of the 20th century unfold. The setting, an old farmhouse's kitchen, becomes a poignant backdrop to a murder investigation where the male characters overlook crucial details perceived as mere 'trifles,' while the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, uncover the truth behind a man's death. Their discovery of a dead canary, symbolizing the oppressive silencing of women, challenges the men's dismissive attitudes and highlights the gender-based oppression pervasive at the time. Through the women’s observations and interactions, the audience gains insight into the secluded lives of women and the silent struggles they endured, providing a timeless commentary on gender dynamics.

Highlights

• The play is set in a kitchen of a rural farmhouse around 1900, presenting a candid view of domestic life. 🤔
• Mrs. Wright's seemingly trivial concerns about preserves become pivotal to understanding her emotional state. 🥫
• The male characters' oversight of 'kitchen things' contrasts with the women's perceptive insights. 🔄
• A dead canary found in a quilt box becomes the key to uncovering the play's central mystery. 🐦
• Subtle tensions between men and women reflect broader societal attitudes towards gender roles. ⚖️

Key Takeaways

• A play that challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the oppressive silencing of women at the time. 🎭
• Susan Glaspell draws from her journalism background to deliver a powerful narrative on women's struggles. 📰
• The setting of a farmhouse kitchen serves as a microcosm of early 20th-century gender dynamics. 🏡
• Detailed observations of 'trifles' by female characters reveal critical truths ignored by men. 🔍
• The discovery of the dead canary is central to uncovering hidden domestic abuse themes. 🐦

Overview

"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell, expertly produced by Concrete Timbre & D’moiselles, takes audiences into the heart of a rural farmhouse where a murder mystery unfolds. This one-act play highlights the profound yet unnoticed power of women in a society that diminishes their roles. The ironic discovery of crucial evidence hidden in what men consider 'trifles' portrays a vivid tapestry of gender prejudices prevalent during the early 1900s.

The performance cleverly crafts the characters of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, who move beyond societal constraints by piecing together the grim reality of Mrs. Wright's life. As they sift through the ordinary, they tap into unspoken truths about female repression. The dead canary wrapped in silk becomes not just a piece of evidence but a symbol of Mrs. Wright’s strangled freedom, reflecting the murky depths of human experience and relationships.

Through rich dialogue and the everyday setting, Glaspell’s "Trifles" offers a timeless exploration of gender dynamics. The production emphasizes the emotional solitude experienced by the characters, revealing cultural commentaries that resonate with contemporary audiences. It’s a striking study in empathy and the overlooked power of women, making it a compelling and thought-provoking experience.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 03:00: Introduction and Susan Glaspell's Representation The chapter begins with an exploration of the thematic introduction to Susan Glaspell's work.
• 03:00 - 04:00: Characters and Setting Introduction The chapter begins with an intriguing statement of the actor who feels out of place, setting a mysterious tone. It introduces Susan Glasel, the playwright, establishing a meta-theatrical context where an actor plays the role of the author herself. This introduction hints at a deeper narrative about identity and belonging within the storyline.
• 04:00 - 10:00: Mr. Hale's Account of the Morning Discovery The chapter titled 'Mr. Hale's Account of the Morning Discovery' touches upon a significant historical setting in the early 1900s, reflecting on the societal status before women earned the right to vote in 1916. It highlights the author's career shift from journalism to playwriting, leading to the creation of 'Trifles,' the first play ever read by the playwright, who later became a Pulitzer Prize winner.
• 10:00 - 15:00: Discussion on Mrs. Wright's Behavior The chapter titled 'Discussion on Mrs. Wright's Behavior' takes place in the kitchen of a very old farmhouse around the year 1900. Mr. Henderson, the County Attorney, is present and played by Seth. Mr. and Mrs. Hale, the neighbors, are also present and portrayed by James and Sally. Leading them is Mr. Peters, the sheriff, played by David. The setting involves characters engaged in a discussion, presumably about Mrs. Wright, although specifics about the conversation are not detailed in the provided transcript.
• 15:00 - 18:00: Exploring Motives and Household Observations The chapter opens with a character mentioning she plays the role of the sheriff's wife named Mrs. Peters in a game or play referred to as 'triples'. A conversation takes place where someone warns to be careful about 'patch eyes' being invisible to the eye. A Mrs. Hail acknowledges this with a response indicating her attentiveness.
• 18:00 - 21:00: Discovery of the Bird and Initial Reactions The characters discuss the current state of the scene, ensuring nothing has been moved since the initial discovery. They emphasize the importance of preserving the scene due to the potential severity of the case. Concerns are raised about the temperature dropping below zero, and measures are taken to prevent anyone from getting pneumonia, such as sending someone to light the stove while preserving the scene intact. However, there is a note of caution about ensuring the scene remains undisturbed for the investigation to proceed effectively.
• 21:00 - 26:00: Reflection on the Discovery and Its Implications The chapter titled 'Reflection on the Discovery and Its Implications' discusses a situation involving a character named Frank who is sent to Morris Center to deal with a man who went crazy. The narrator, possibly Mr. Hal, is recounting events from the previous day when they were busy managing things on their own since someone named Harry and the narrator were away in Omaha. Upon returning, the narrator explains an incident that took place yesterday morning. While heading to town with a load of potatoes, the narrator mentions their intention to convince someone named John Wright to join them in investing in a party telephone. However, John had previously dismissed the idea, citing an aversion to excessive talking by people.
• 26:00 - 30:00: Concluding Thoughts on the Situation The chapter titled 'Concluding Thoughts on the Situation' delves into a reflective conversation where one individual discusses an encounter at someone's house. The narrative captures a hesitancy to talk about a person's wife and hints at a deeper conversation about someone's intentions or actions. The storyteller describes arriving at a house, knocking at the door, expecting the inhabitants to be awake as it was past 8 a.m., and hearing a possible invitation to enter despite the silence within. The focus seems to pivot on the nuances of communication and assumptions made in quiet, domestic settings.
• 30:00 - 34:00: Men's Perspective and Final Comments The chapter delves into men's perspective and their concluding remarks on the situation. The scene described involves a character stumbling upon Mrs. Right who is engaged in a repetitive, almost absent-minded action of rocking back and forth while handling her apron. The description highlights how Mrs. Right appeared 'queer', which is elaborated as her seeming unsure of her next actions. Despite the visitor's presence, Mrs. Right remains indifferent, not reacting significantly to it. The chapter hints at an underlying tension or unresolved emotion through this interaction.

Trifles by Susan Glaspell, a Concrete Timbre & d'moiselles production in NYC Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 [Music] [Music]
• 00:30 - 01:00 [Music] [Music] I'm not supposed to be here I'm an actor representing Susan glasel I have no place in this play I Susan glassville wrote this play in 196
• 01:00 - 01:30 I wrote it about something that happened in 1900 something I covered in my career as a journalist before I was a pulit Sur prize winning playright you'll recall that in 1916 women in this country did not have the right to vote yet here I was writing this little play I hope you like this little play Trifles it is the first play I ever read
• 01:30 - 02:00 Ro the play takes place in the kitchen of a very old farmhouse around 1900 you'll see Mr Henderson with the notebook played by Seth he's the County Attorney Mr and Mrs hail they are Neighbors played by James and Sally leading them is Mr Peters played by David who is also the sheriff when I'm not in a play my name is Melinda in addition to playing Susan
• 02:00 - 02:30 glassbook I also play the sheriff's wife in triples and you can now call me Mrs Peters they careful there there's patch eyes right there which is invisible to the eye you all right Mrs hail oh yes we Have Eyes enough WR you it should be warmer inside this feels good step up to the fire ladies oh I'm not cold now Mr hail before we move
• 02:30 - 03:00 things about you explain to Mr Henderson just what you saw when you came here yesterday morning by the way has anything been moved are things just as you left them yesterday it's just the same when I dropped below zero last night I thought I'd better send Frank out this morning to make a fire for us no you's get pneumonia with a big case on but I told him not to touch anything except the stove and you know Frank somebody should have been left here yesterday oh yesterday when I had had to
• 03:00 - 03:30 send Frank out to moris Center for that man who went crazy I want you to know I had my hands full yesterday I knew you could get back from Omaha by today and as long as I went over everything here myself well Mr Hal tell just what happened when you came here yesterday morning well Harry and I was headed to town with a load of potatoes we come along the road from my place and when we got here I said I'm going to go see if I can't get John right to go in with me on a party telephone I spoke to R about it before but he put me off saying folks talk too much anyway and all he asked
• 03:30 - 04:00 was peace and quiet I guess you know about how much he talked himself but I thought maybe if I talked about it before his wife though I said to Harry's I didn't know what his wife wanted made much difference to John let let's talk about that later Mr H I do want to talk about it but tell now just what happened when you got to the house no no I didn't see or hear anything I I knocked at the door and it was still it was all quiet inside I knew they must be up it was past 8:00 so I knocked again and I thought I heard somebody say come in I
• 04:00 - 04:30 wasn't sure I'm not sure yet but I opened the door this door and there in that rocker said Mrs Right what was she doing she's rocking back and forth she had her apron in her hand and was kind of pleaing at it mhm how'd she look well she looked queer how do you mean queer well as if she didn't know what she's going to do next it kind of done up mhm how did she seem to feel about your coming I don't think she minded one way or another she didn't pay much attention I said how do Mrs R it's
• 04:30 - 05:00 cold ain't it she said is it and just went on a ple at her apron well I surprised she didn't ask me to come up to the stove or to sit down but just sit there rocking back and forth not looking at me so I said I'd come to see if John wanted to put in a telephone then she laughed now I guess You' call it a laugh I thought of Harry and the team outside so I said a little sharp can't I see John no she said kind of D like way H home says I yes says she he's at home
• 05:00 - 05:30 well then why can't I see him I asked her out of patience cuz he's dead said she dad says I she just nodded her head not getting a bit excited but rocking back and forth well well where is he I says and not knowing what to say she just pointed upstairs well like that I got up with the idea going up there I walked from there to here and then I said well well what didd he die of he died of a rope around his neck said she just went on a pleating at her apron well I thought I might need help I went
• 05:30 - 06:00 out and called Harry we went upstairs and there he was just a I I think I'd rather you point that out upstairs when we get up there all right just go on now with the rest of your story well my first thought was to get that rope off it looked up but uh Harry he went up to him and he said no he's dead all right and we better not touch anything so we come back downstairs and she was still sitting that same way I said is a has anybody been notified Mrs r no she said unconcerned well now who did did this
• 06:00 - 06:30 Harry said to Mrs Right I don't know she says you don't know says Harry no says she well weren't you sleeping in the bed with him says Harry yes says she but I was on the inside you mean somebody put a rope around his neck and strangled him and you didn't wake up Harry said I didn't wake up she said after him but we must have looked as if we didn't see how that could be for for after a minute she said I sleep sound well Harry was going to ask her more questions but I said maybe we ought to let her tell her St St first to the sheriff or the coroner mhm
• 06:30 - 07:00 so Harry went fast as he could to River's place where there's a telephone okay and what did Mrs Wright do when she knew you'd gone for the corner well well she moved from that chair to this one right here and she just kind of sat there with her hands held together looking down mhm now I got the feeling that I'd make some conversation so I said I'd come to see if John wanted to put in a telephone then she laughed then she stopped she looked at me scared I don't know now maybe it wasn't scared I
• 07:00 - 07:30 I wouldn't like to say it was but soon Harry got back and then Dr Lloyd came and and then you Mr Peters and I guess that's all I know that you don't well I guess we'll go upstairs and then out to the barn and around there uh you're convinced there was nothing important here nothing that will point to any motive nothing here but kitchen things here's a nice mess oh her fruit it did
• 07:30 - 08:00 freeze she worried about that when it grew so cold she said her fire would go out the jars would break well can you beat the women held for murder and worrying about her preserves well I guess before we're through she may have something more important than preserves to worry about well women are used to worrying over travels and yet for all their troubles and worries what would we do without the ladies dirty house not much of a
• 08:00 - 08:30 housekeeper would you say ladies there's a great deal of work to be done on a farm well to be sure and yet I know of some Dixon County farmhouses which do not have such roller towels well those towels get dirty awful quick men's hands not always as clean as they might be loyal to your sex I see but you and Mrs Wright were neighbors I suppose you were friends too I not seen much of her late years I've not been in this house in Long
• 08:30 - 09:00 why was that you didn't like her oh I liked her all well enough Farmer's wives have got their hands full Mr Henderson and then yes never seemed a never cheerful place no not cheerful I shouldn't say she had the homemaking Instinct well I don't know is right did you mean they didn't get on very well no I don't mean anything I just I don't think to be any cheerful
• 09:00 - 09:30 for John R uh I'd like to talk to that later I want to go upstairs and get the lay of things up there now I suppose anything Mrs Peters does will be all right she was to take in some clothes for you know and a few little things we left in such a hurry yesterday yes but I'd like to see what you take Mrs Peters so I can keep an eye out for anything that may be of use to us yes Mr
• 09:30 - 10:00 well I would hate to have men coming into my kitchen snooping around and criticizing of course it's no more than the duty duty is all right but I'll guess that deputy sheriff that came out to make the fire he might have got a little this on I wish I thought of that sooner seems mean to talk about her not having things slipped up when she had to come on and such a hurry she had bread set she a b her fruit I wonder if it's all gone no I think
• 10:00 - 10:30 maybe there's some left Mrs pet look here it's cheris too I declare I believe it's the only one she's going to feel awful bad after all her hard work and the hot weather I remember the afternoon I put up my chairs well I really must get those things from the front room closet are you coming with me Mrs hail you can help me carry them
• 10:30 - 11:00 my it's cold in there ride was close I think maybe that's why she kept so much to herself you know she didn't even belong to the lady's age I suppose she felt she couldn't do her part and then well you don't enjoy things when you feel shabby she used to wear pretty clothes be LLY back when she was many Foster when the town girls sing in the choir oh my that was 30 years ago
• 11:00 - 11:30 this all you was to take in well she said she wanted an apron funny thing to want cuz there isn't much to get you dirty in jail goodness knows she said it was in the top door of the cabinet yes here it is and the little Shaw that always hung behind the door ah yes there it is Mrs Peters yes Mrs hail do you think she did it oh I don't know well I don't think she did asking about
• 11:30 - 12:00 her apron in her little Shaw and worrying about her fruit Mr Peter says it's looks bad for her Mr Henderson can be awful sarcastic in his speech and he'll make fun of her saying she didn't wake up well I guess John R didn't wake up when they SL that rope under his neck no it's strange they must have done it awful crafty and still they say it's such a funny way to kill a man making it all up like that that's what Mr hail says he says there was a
• 12:00 - 12:30 gun in the house and that's what he can't understand Mr Henderson said on the way over that what was needed for the case was a motive something to show anger or sudden emotion well I don't see any signs of anger around here wonder how the men are getting on upstairs you know it seems kind of sneaker blocking our p and coming in here and trying to get our own house to turn against her but Mrs hail the law is is the
• 12:30 - 13:00 law I suppose it is mret you know you better loosen up your things you won't feel it when you go outside she was piecing a qu oh it's a love cabern pattern it's pretty ain't it I wonder she going to Quil it or just not they wonder if she was going to quilt it or just not it
• 13:00 - 13:30 H Frank's Fire didn't do very much good up there did it let's get out to the barn and get that cleared up I don't see there's anything strange or taking up our time with little things or waiting for them to get the evidence or see anything to laugh about of course they have awful important things on their minds Mrs Peters look at this this this is the part she was working on and
• 13:30 - 14:00 look at the SE see all the rest is nice and even and look at this here it's all over the place why is it she didn't know what she was about what are you doing Mrs H oh I'm just fixing a stitching too it's not SE very good that sewing always made me fidgety I don't think we ought to touch them oh I'll just finish up this little one here Mrs Peters yes Mrs H what you spell she was so nervous about oh I don't know know I don't know that she
• 14:00 - 14:30 was nervous I sometimes so awful queer when I'm just tired well I really must get these things wrapped up they may be through sooner than we think I wonder where I can find some paper and string in the carboard lady W here's a bird cage did she have a bird Mrs hail why I don't know what she did you know there was a man last year selling canaries real cheap I don't know she took what maybe she did she used to
• 14:30 - 15:00 s real pretty herself seems strange to think of a bird here but she must have had one or why would she have a cage I wonder where it went cat got it Med no she didn't have a cat she's got that feeling about cats some people have being afraid of them my cat got into her room and she got real upset and asked me to take it out my sister Bessie was just like that it's quer it well look at this door it's broke one hinge is pulled
• 15:00 - 15:30 apart it looks as if somebody been rough with it why yes Mr H I wish if they were going to find any evidence that'd be about it I don't like this place but I sure I'm awful glad you came with me Mrs hail it'd be lonesome for me sitting here alone it would wouldn't it I tell you what I do wish though Mrs Peters I wish I had come out here sometime when she was here I wish I had
• 15:30 - 16:00 of course you were awful busy with your house and your children I could have come I stayed away cuz I weren't cheerful and that's why I ought to have come I don't like this maybe because it's down in the and you don't see the road I don't know what it is but it's a lome place it always was but I sure wish I'd come to see mini Foster sometime I can see now you must rip approach yourself Mrs hail we often
• 16:00 - 16:30 don't know how things are with other folks till something comes up not having children it makes less work but it makes an awful quiet hous and right no weight work and no company need didn't come in did you know John right this iset not to know him I've seen him in town a few times they say he was a good man good yes well he paid his debts he didn't drink he kept his word as good as well as most
• 16:30 - 17:00 I guess but he was a hard man Mrs just to pass the time of day like a cold wind that gets to tell you what why don't you take that qu de with you go I take up her mind I think that's a nice idea Mrs hail there couldn't possibly be any objection to it could there what just what would I take I wonder if
• 17:00 - 17:30 all her patches are in here and her things well um yes some red I bet her some of her sewing things are in here what a pretty box looks like something somebody might have give you I bet her scissors are in here oh now there's something wrapped up in a piece of silk oh that's not her scissors oh Mrs Peters it's it's the bird but Mrs Peter's his neck look at its neck it's all other side too somebody rung it neck
• 17:30 - 18:00 neck well ladies have we decided if she was going to fil it or not we think she was going to nod it well that's interesting uh I'm sure is the bird FL cat got it is there a cat well not now they're superstitious you know they leave no sign of anyone having come from the outside their own Ro
• 18:00 - 18:30 let's get upstairs again and go over it piece by piece it would have had to have been someone who knew exactly she back that Murder She was going to bury it this pretty box when I was a girl my kitten there was a boy took a hatchet and before my eyes and before I could get there if they hadn't held me back I would have hurt him I wonder what it would feel like never have any children in the
• 18:30 - 19:00 house right wouldn't have like this bird the thing that sign she's to S he killed that too we don't know who killed the bird I knew John right it was an awful thing that happened here that night Mrs hail killing a man while he slept slipping a rope around his neck that choked the life out of him his neck choked life out of
• 19:00 - 19:30 him we don't know who killed him we don't know if there had been years and years of nothing and then a bird to sing to you be upful still the bird was still I know what Stillness is when we Homestead it in the dtas after my first baby died and he was just two years old and be with no other than soon supposed they going to be
• 19:30 - 20:00 through finding the evidence I know what Stillness is the law has got to punish crime Mrs hail I wish you had known Minnie Foster but she were a w dress the and stood up in that Caro inside I wish I had come over and see it sometimes that was a crown that there a crab was going to punish that we must take on on oh I might have
• 20:00 - 20:30 known she needed help I know how things can be for women you know it's a weird thing this Peters we all live close together and we all live far apart we all go through the same thing it's just a different kind of the same thing you know what I would do a I wouldn't tell her that the food was called tell her tell her it's all right take that in show till she may never
• 20:30 - 21:00 know it's going or not it's a good thing the men wouldn't hear and they just laugh getting all stirred up about a little thing like a dead Canary as if that could have anything to do with wouldn't they just laugh maybe they would maybe they would no Peters it's all perfectly clear except a reason for doing it but you know you know women and juries that
• 21:00 - 21:30 there was some definite thing something to show some connection to this strange way of doing it well I've got the team hooked up Prett cold out there yeah I'm going to stay back here a while myself you can send Frank back for me can't you I want to go over everything I'm not satisfied we can't do better you want to see what Mrs Peters is going to take in no they're not very dangerous things the
• 21:30 - 22:00 ladies have picked out and Mrs Peters doesn't need supervising for that matter the sheriff's wife is married to the law you ever think of it that way Mrs Peters not just that way married to the law George I just want you to come here for a minute we ought to take a look at these uh Windows H Windows we'll be right out Mr hail
• 22:00 - 22:30 [Music] well Henry at least we found out she was not going to quilt it she was going to uh what is it called ladies we call it noted Mr Henderson
• 22:30 - 23:00 [Music]