Themes: Gender Roles
The tension in "A Jury of Her Peers" largely arises from the disparity between what the women perceive and what the men fail to notice. During the time period of the story, the kitchen was strictly seen as the wife's domain. As wives themselves, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters can deduce Mrs. Wright's mental state from the condition of her kitchen. In contrast, the men dismiss the messy kitchen and its contents as unimportant. The sheriff comments there's "nothing here but kitchen things," and when Mrs. Peters shows concern about the jars of preserves bursting due to the cold, Mr. Hale dismissively states, "women are used to worrying over trifles." However, the women realize that Mrs. Wright would not have deliberately left her kitchen in such a state. When the attorney notices the dirty dish towels and remarks, "Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" Mrs. Hale counters, "Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men’s hands aren’t always as clean as they might be."
Having experienced life as farmers' wives, both women understand the isolation and loneliness of rural life, and they sympathize with how heartbroken Mrs. Wright must be over her canary’s death. They also notice the uneven stitching on her quilt squares, which deviates from her usual careful work, indicating a disturbed mind. Eventually, the men leave the women in the kitchen while they search for clues in what they deem "more important" areas of the house, yet they instruct Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale to remain vigilant. The attorney’s comment—“you women might come upon a clue to the motive”—suggests he doubts their ability to uncover a motive, assuming they might only find evidence by chance. Mr. Hale further patronizes by asking, “Would the women know a clue if they did come upon it?” This attitude towards women in the room they know best emphasizes not only the differences in domestic roles between men and women but also how men undervalue women's roles. This division is underscored by Mrs. Hale’s remark, “I’d hate to have men comin’ into my kitchen . . . snoopin’ round and criticizin’.”
The story also highlights that men have responsibilities within the household. The women note Mrs. Wright's clothing is worn and shabby. "You don’t enjoy things when you feel shabby," Mrs. Hale explains, providing insight into why Minnie Wright likely hadn't been seen much in public since her marriage twenty years ago.
They also observe the stove's poor condition. Considering their next steps with the clues, Mrs. Hale states, "The law is the law—and a bad stove is a bad stove," contemplating "what it would mean, year after year, to have that stove to wrestle with."
Mr. Hale originally went to the Wrights' residence to inquire if John Wright might consider installing a telephone, observing that "all the women-folks like the telephones." However, Minnie's response to his suggestion suggested that John Wright would have refused to grant his wife even this minor convenience in their home.
Expert Q&A
In "A Jury of Her Peers," why might Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters feel solidarity with Minnie Wright?
Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters feel solidarity with Minnie Wright due to shared experiences and empathy. Mrs. Hale recalls Minnie as a cheerful woman before her oppressive marriage and feels guilty for not befriending her. Understanding Mr. Wright's role in Minnie's unhappiness, she sympathizes with her plight. Mrs. Peters relates to Minnie through personal experiences of loss and silence, remembering her own suffering and the dead canary as symbols of Minnie's isolation and despair.
What is the relationship between Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale in their reactions to Mrs. Wright?
Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale initially have a distant relationship but grow closer as they empathize with Mrs. Wright's plight. Initially strangers, they bond over their shared understanding of Minnie’s hardships, culminating in a silent agreement to protect her by hiding evidence. Their solidarity develops through shared experiences and mutual recognition of the challenges faced by women in their community.
What's the significance of Mrs Peters' recollections in her decision to protect Mrs.Wright?
Mrs. Peters' recollections play a crucial role in her decision to protect Mrs. Wright. She empathizes with Mrs. Wright's situation through her own experiences of loss and isolation. Memories of her kitten's death and the stillness after losing her child help her understand Mrs. Wright's emotional turmoil. This leads her to believe that true justice for Mrs. Wright would be her freedom from further punishment, prompting her to conceal evidence of the crime.
Was Mrs. Wright abused in "A Jury of Her Peers"?
In "A Jury of Her Peers," Mrs. Wright is depicted as being abused by her husband, John Wright. The story provides evidence of both emotional and possibly physical abuse. Mrs. Wright's isolation and mental state suggest emotional abuse, while the discovery of a dead canary, likely killed by John, indicates cruelty. These details align with definitions of domestic abuse, illustrating a pattern of control and psychological harm inflicted by John Wright.
Why could the women solve the murder better than the men in "A Jury of Her Peers"?
The women in "A Jury of Her Peers" solve the murder better than the men because they notice small details, or "trifles," that the men dismiss. By examining the kitchen and using empathy, the women reconstruct Minnie Wright's state of mind. They discover her motive through shared experiences as farm wives, identifying with her isolation and emotional turmoil, which the men overlook. This understanding leads them to uncover the truth about the murder.
In "A Jury of Her Peers," why don't the women disclose their findings to the men?
The women in "A Jury of Her Peers" withhold evidence due to personal empathy and the men's condescension. Mrs. Hale feels guilty for not supporting Mrs. Wright, while Mrs. Peters empathizes through her own past traumas. Both recognize that Mrs. Wright, facing a male-dominated trial, won't receive a fair judgment. The men's mockery and trivialization of women's concerns further motivate them to protect Mrs. Wright by deciding her fate themselves.
What is the importance of Mrs. Hale's descriptions of young Minnie and the Wright's marriage?
Mrs. Hale's descriptions highlight the impact of Minnie Wright's marriage on her personality and happiness. She recalls Minnie as a lively and joyful young woman, contrasting sharply with her subdued state after marrying John Wright. The marriage is depicted as oppressive, symbolized by the dead canary, representing Minnie's lost freedom and joy. This transformation provides insight into Minnie's potential motive for the crime, suggesting years of repression and unhappiness led to her actions.
In "A Jury of Her Peers," why did the women hide the bird evidence?
In "A Jury of Her Peers," why do Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale hide crucial evidence of Mrs. Wright's motive?
In "A Jury of Her Peers," Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters relate to Minnie Wright and understand her motive for killing her husband. They realize that John killed Minnie's bird, which was the only source of happiness in her lonely life. They know she will not be judged fairly by men because of their lack of understanding of women. They decide to stray from their prescribed gender roles and rebel against the men and patriarchal legal system by protecting Minnie.
In "A Jury of Her Peers," how do male and female characters learn from the investigation?
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