A literary work often subtly alludes to a situation in society that the author finds particularly significant. Susan Glaspell incorporates social commentary into her play Trifles. In doing so, she highlights the sexual stratification that exists in even the most basic interactions and presents a way of using this social barrier to an acceptable end. Although written almost a century before the present day, Glaspell's findings and the resulting solution are still valid in a modern context. Bagatelles demonstrates the roles of men and women in their daily behavior and interactions. Women use their assigned positions to accomplish what men cannot and have the option to deliberately choose not to help men with their new knowledge. Trifles is a great example of gender stratification at the most basic level: everyday conversation and behavior. Interactionists have observed common patterns that recur in everyday interactions between men and women. As in Glaspell's work, men have been shown to regularly change the topic of conversation and ignore women's ideas. (Kumbamu) Throughout the play, the county attorney interrupts or dismisses the women's concerns as mere "trifles" by wishing to "talk more about it...later." (Glaspell 141) The women's actions illustrate what are considered feminine behavioral roles. Women except and do not challenge obvious male verbal dominance and instead prove adaptable to circumstances and provide emotional support. (Kumbamu) Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are unwittingly placed in a "solitary" environment that they would normally have stayed away from. (Glaspell 143) Despite their uncomfortable situation, they instinctively support each other and defend Mrs. W...... middle of paper ...... be applied to modern situations of gender stratification. Works Cited Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles. » Literature: a world of writing. Ed. David L. Pike and Ana M. Acosta. New York: Pearson Longman, 2011. 139-45. Print.Grose, Janet L. "The Trifles of Susan Glaspell and 'A Jury of Her Peers': Women's Reading and Communication." Tennessee Philological Bulletin: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Philological Association 36 (1999): 27-48. MLA International Bibliography. Internet. November 17, 2011. Holstein, Suzy Clarkson. “Social Justice From a Different Perspective: The Trifles of Glaspell.” Midwest Quarterly: A Journal of Contemporary Thought 44.3 (2003): 282-90. MLA International Bibliography. Internet. November 17, 2011. Kumbamu, Ashok. “Chapter 12: Gender Stratification.” University of Alberta. November 8, 2011. Lecture.