This book is especially recommended for theatre lovers and constitutes an essential contribution to the history of women in the US during the twentieth-century. Following Virginia Woolf, Barbara Ozieblo has as her goal to "capture" Glaspell's personality, but the results go far beyond this original purpose. Seduced by a brilliantly polished, engaging narrative, the reader is presented with a new perspective on the development of American theatre in the first half of the twentieth century by means of a smooth movement between identification with Glaspell and a fine and suggestive analysis of her writings.

For the theatre critic / lover, the most relevant dimension of Susan Glaspell's life is her involvement in the creation of the Provincetown Players, either as promoter, actress or playwright. In this regard, a new focus on her standpoint is worth considering, being both protagonist and witness in the development of George Cram Cook's visionary efforts. No doubt, her point of view enables a more accurate, fresher account of the true nature and evolution of Cook's relationship with Eugene O'Neill.

The reader becomes Glaspell herself while witnessing this crucial part in twentieth-century American drama. The implication is that, from her position between external spectator and measured participant, we can reach a more suitable evaluation of the Provincetown Players' contribution to US theatre. This fact is accounted for by the author's decisiveness at drawing consistent conclusions at the right time within the narrative.

An outstanding student and vocational writer, Glaspell also offers an invaluable personal story of abnegation and endurance. The chapter devoted to Cook's final days in Greece does justice to her position as committed wife and sacrificed woman. Here we have an example of a woman's ambivalent role regarding the rules imposed by the society of the time. The main question is whether Glaspell would have utilized her talents in a better way without the burdens imposed by marriage. However, the narrative efficiently locates us within Glaspell's persona, and her constant sufferings caused by her true love for Cook, indeed a demanding and dependent dreamer.

Finally, Glaspell's life as a widow back in the US becomes an example of the unrewarding, sometimes miserable life of twentieth-century women involved in the artistic sphere. Recognized writer, Pulitzer-prize winner and generous mentor, Glaspell keeps on being "too" generous, especially in her relationships with men, and for most of her life remains a solitary individual whose loneliness is only alleviated by the company of her friends and animals and, ultimately, her love for the theatre.

It is precisely this love for the theatre that this excellent biography transfers to the reader, no matter what background, interests or motivations he or she have. Bored with annoying biographies trying to make up silly stories about the hollow lives of any writer or celebrity, this book becomes a fresh, invigorating breeze for both the critic and the general reader.

This play is about the lives of women in a male dominant society. It displays the worth of women according to the men. The big "clues" in this play are considered trivial to the men. The actions of women are worthless compared to that of a man. However, the truth of the situation is only reached by weighing in these trifles...as can only be done through the understanding of other women.

I think "trifles" explained that men in todays world feel they have a power over women. The three women in "trifles" did overcome one man and that is what is important. Can anyone help me find journals on "trifles" or essays written about it for an english assignment? I need other sources for my paper. I would appreciate this very much.

The play is named "Trifles" basically because of the idea that many of the things women do, or did in the play were considered "trivial things" to the men. Women were also considered "worrisome" creatures whose anxieties were not important either. Although these trivial, unimportant "things" were that way for the men in the play, those same things were considered very important to the women and their lives. I hope that helps.

I teach special education English classes to high school age teens at a drug treatment center. I find myself coming back to this short drama again and again for use in my classroom. The themes of trust, loyalty, and isolation set against a murder mystery backdrop make for a thought-provoking and engaging read.