Trifles is a play by Susan Glaspell that was first performed in 1916. The play is set in a small farmhouse in rural Iowa and focuses on the investigation of a murder that has taken place there. The main characters in Trifles are Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Hale, the County Attorney, the Sheriff, and Mr. and Mrs. Wright.
Mrs. Peters is the wife of the County Attorney and is the main female character in the play. She is a kind and compassionate woman who is sympathetic towards the victim, Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Peters is also a mother and is able to relate to the domestic struggles and isolation that Mrs. Wright must have experienced as a farmer's wife. Mrs. Peters is torn between her duty as a wife to support her husband and her moral obligation to do what is right.
Mrs. Hale is a neighbor of Mrs. Wright and is also a farmer's wife. She is a strong and practical woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. Mrs. Hale understands the difficulties and loneliness of being a farmer's wife and is able to connect with Mrs. Wright on a deeper level. Mrs. Hale is also able to see past the surface of the crime and understand the underlying motivations and emotions that may have led to the murder.
The County Attorney is the main male character in the play and is investigating the murder of Mr. Wright. He is a cold and calculating man who is more interested in solving the crime and finding the killer than in understanding the human dynamics behind the murder. The County Attorney is confident in his ability to solve the case and is dismissive of the opinions and insights of the women in the play.
The Sheriff is a supporting character in the play and is assisting the County Attorney in the investigation. He is a practical and straightforward man who is not as concerned with the emotional aspects of the case as the women are.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the victim and the suspect in the murder case, respectively. Mr. Wright is described as a harsh and domineering man who controlled and oppressed his wife. Mrs. Wright, on the other hand, is a meek and downtrodden woman who has been worn down by her husband's abuse. The circumstances of Mr. Wright's murder and Mrs. Wright's possible involvement are the central mystery of the play.
In conclusion, the characters in Trifles are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own motivations, emotions, and perspectives. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are able to see beyond the surface of the crime and understand the deeper issues at play, while the County Attorney and the Sheriff are more focused on solving the crime and finding the killer. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the central figures in the play, with Mr. Wright being the victim and Mrs. Wright being the suspect. The play explores themes of gender roles, domestic abuse, and the human capacity for empathy and understanding.