The cold temperature in the Wrights' kitchen is used within the play's setting to indicate the strained relationship between the spouses, the isolation that Minnie Wright experiences, and John Wright's antisocial personality.

After the murder, the Hales and Peterses, along with the County Attorney, arrive to investigate and to get things that Minnie needs. One of the first comments relates to approaching the fire to get warm. Sheriff Peters explains that he had Frank light the fire the day before because the kitchen had been extremely cold when he arrived the previous day.

A few minutes later, they notice that the room had been so cold that the glass jars of preserves had frozen and shattered. As they converse, Mrs. Hale gives the opinion that it was not a cheerful house, which she attributes to John Wright's influence. Later, when the women are alone together, Mrs. Hale describes him as a "hard man" and shivers to think of him: "Like a raw wind that gets to the bone."