Essay on Valueless: Symbolizing Inequality in a Male Chauvinistic Society

The play was written in a period when male chauvinism had prevailed in American society. The men in the play portray how they had power over women. As such, they view all women inclusive of their wives as lesser beings who do not have a significant role in society. The men believe that a woman role is confined in the kitchen. Again, the title means something small that cannot be easily identified. The title is symbolic as it shows how men do not value the small things as they do not see any importance in them. However, women in the play are keen to notice the small things in the house of Mrs. Wright that can be used to incriminate her for murdering her husband. The Sheriff and Attorney general allocate the women the responsibility of putting the things of Mrs. Wright together in the Kitchen (Glaspell, 2012).

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The play shows that women supported each other, and they realized that men were not treating them well, but they could not do much to free themselves. The women in the play hide the bird and the cage because they realize that it is enough evidence to be used against Mrs. Wright in court for the murder of her husband (Glaspell, 2012).

During this time, men in American society only valued businesses, money and politics. To them, women were not meant to be heard but only to be seen as they regarded them as property. They did not believe that women were supposed to be independent. Susan brings out the theme in her play through Mrs. Wright, who seemed to have an unhappy marriage and was caged by her husband. Mrs. Wright felt that she was not being treated the right way, but she did not have the capacity to fight for her freedom. The desire to be free prompted her to murder her husband as she did not have other options of freeing herself from bondage (Glaspell, 2012).

Susan makes use of various symbols to bring out her intention of writing the play. For instance, the quiet and empty house depicts the life of Mrs. Wright, whereby she was always sad and lonely without the hope of living a better life. Again, the bird in the cage reflects how Mrs. Wright was locked up in her house, and the same way the woman was her husband's prisoner, the bird was also a prisoner to the woman (Glaspell, 2012). Besides, Mr. Wright was also a prisoner to the male chauvinism. Susan uses the birdcage to show the reader how Mrs. Wright's and other women's freedom was limited by the prevailing circumstances and other people in society.

Unlike Susan Glaspell's play, "Trifles," where women are being oppressed and do not have ways of obtaining their freedom, the film 'Mona Lisa Smile, portrays how women are fighting for their rights in the society. The film is about Katherine Watson, who is a feminist teacher. She is determined to deviate from the traditional believes where girls are brought up and nurtured to be good mothers and wives to their husbands (Jack, 2018). According to Katherine, there is more for women than getting married; she encourages her students to pursue their dream careers to improve their economic futures.

Katherine Watson sticks to her dedication of opening the minds of her students and encouraging them to believe in themselves. She even teaches contrary to what is stipulated in the school's curriculum and does not give in to threats of losing her job as she is supposed to teach arts (Jack, 2018). Katherine holds on to the believe that it is the high time women start to build their futures, and it can only be achieved if the women embrace change. Therefore, she feels it is her duty as a teacher to guide students in making changes in a society that has a firm believe in the traditional way of doing things that views women as lesser beings.

Although Katherine is faced with rejection at first by both the teachers and students, she does not give up or feels intimidated she carries on to do what she believes in. However, at the end of the film, the students seem impressed by the teachings of Watson and believe that there is a need for change in the traditional narrative that places women in a dependent state with roles of being mothers and wives. The love and affection of the students towards Katherine is evident at the end of the film, where they escort her to the car as she is leaving (Jack, 2018). Katherine is, therefore, seen as an independent woman who stands out to do the less expected, which is fighting for women's place in a patriarchal society.

Things and way of life in American society have changed over time as women can now fight for equal rights with men. Although oppression of women has not been completely curbed, such cases have become few as most have accepted the fact that women are also human beings and need to be given equal chances to express themselves in the society and be independent.

References

Glaspell, S. (2012). Trifles (with audio): Enhanced Edition with Full Cast Audio Performance. L.A. Theatre Works.

Jack, A. (2018). Mona Lisa Smile. Albert Jack Publishing.