Language and gender in Susan Glaspell’s trifle (1916)‎

Abstract EN

Trifles is a one-act play that premiered in 1916, which discusses social construction of women in a male-dominated society in the 1980s.

it reflects patriarchal oppression exercised against women in an era that belittles women's right of independence and freedom.

this paper puts into focus the submissive gender roles of women, paying special attention to the relationship between language and gender as major elements in forming female identity.

this paper provides an analysis of the play which is inspired by sociolinguistics, language and gender, dealing with language as a social phenomenon that reflects differing uses of language based on individuals' gender differences.

first, this paper will deal with the discussion of the relationship between gender and language in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles.

second, it will explore the linguistic features used by women that reveal the oppressive gender roles of women at that time.

it will shed light on gender differences in language use which perpetuate the subjugation of women.