Question

What lines characterize Mrs. Peters’s reaction to the men early in the play, and what lines show her feelings changing later in the play?

Answer 1

At the beginning of the play "Trifles", Mrs. Peters presents herself in a very submissive way to men and argues that they always do what is right, because they must fulfill their duties, even if it causes abandonment and sadness for his wife, or anyone else. This is evidenced by the speech:

MRS. HALE: I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. [...]

MRS PETERS: Of course it's no more than their duty. (51-52)

MRS. HALE: (resentfully) I don't know as there's anything so strange, our takin' up our time with little things while we're waiting for them to get the evidence. [...] I don't see as it's anything to laugh about.

MRS. PETERS: (apologetically) Of course they've got awful important things on their minds. (78-79)

At the end of the play, Ms. Peters develops an empathy for Mrs. Wright's situation, because she went through similar situations and understands how Mrs. Wright feels about loneliness and abandonment. At that moment, her opinion of men begins to change and she feels that they are irresponsible with the feeling of their women, adopting petty and sexist attitudes.