Question

In part two of Trifles, how does the image of the dead bird wrapped in a silk cloth strengthen the feminist theme that women often suffer abuses within a male-dominated society?

Answer 1

Mr. Wright killed the bird his wife so loved. She was very lonely, but  she found some joy, some relief from the "stillness," in the form of a little bird. It was a bright spot in her dark existence, and John Wright killed it, as he killed every other good thing in her life.In killing the bird, Wright killed Minnie's happiness.In many respects, the bird can represent so much in terms of individual voice and identity.For Mrs. Wright, the killing of the bird represents the ultimate in the attempt for male dominance over women.  The bird's death reflects that the encroaching male patriarchy won't be content until it controls every single aspect of all existence.  If the bird can be seen as women's voices and role in the time period, then the containment or silence of the caged bird is one aspect of being in the world.Yet, with its death, there is almost a statement that men won't be happy unless women are completely subjugated to them.