Comparsion Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Comparsion - Term root word ExampleTrifles analyzes the dark shades underlying the married life of John and Minnie Wright and the attitude of Henderson, Hale and Peters to Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale. Torvalds attitude towards Nora in A Dolls House resembles the mens attitude towards the women in Trifles and gender assumptions contribute to the conflict in the two plays. Torvalds attitude towards Nora is that of the benevolent patriarch. She is his petty lark, squirrel, and little featherhead (Ibsen, Act I). He considers her to be a helpless little mortal (Act II), who is so lacking in sense that she cannot even take c be of her teeth he forbids her to eat macaroons. He expects obedience from her and complacently responds No, I am sure of that, when Nora declares I should not think of going against your wishes (I). Nora is a child, who needs to be guided and watched over. When he catches her in a little lie, he actually Shakes his finger at her in admonishment (I). He agrees with Nor a when she says, Everything I think of seems so silly and insignificant (I). He takes great pleasance in criticizing and correcting her dance. Torvald attitude is very sanctimonious. When Nora says, Everything you do is quite right, Torvald, he replies, Now my little skylark is utter reasonably (III). Her criticism of his attitude towards Krogstad as narrow-minded, inflames him and he deliberately dismisses Krogstad immediately. He treats Nora as a doll-wife (III) whose antecedency is to amuse him with tricks of dancing and dressing-up and reciting (I). Torvald criticizes her money-sense by saying, That is like a woman (I). Torvald treats Nora as a parent would an indulged, unconditional and helpless child. Torvalds attitude toward his wife is reflected in the attitude of the men towards the women in Trifles. The men are extremely condescending in their treatment of Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale in the play. When Minnie Wrights concern over her maintain is aired, Henderson declares that women are used to worrying ab bulge out trifles (Glaspell, 9). Likewise, the men laugh (17) at their preoccupation with Minnies sound on her patchwork quilt. The question as to whether Minnie intended to quilt it or just knot it becomes a recurring joke which has connotations of masculine superiority and amused tolerance. The men are prepared to indulge the women in their little worries and Henderson figuratively gives them a sanctimonious pat on the back with his what would we do without the ladies? (9). The men pretermit the kitchen in their search for evidence, with the Sheriff dismissing it as nothing here but kitchen things (8). The implication is that the kitchen is the womans sphere and, as such, does not deserve to be given much importance. A womans barter is as a housekeeper and she is expected to keep a spick and span house. The men are aware that their indulgent attitude towards the perceived fragility and insignificance of women will be mirrored by the jury Hen derson points out But you know juries when it comes to women (28). In line with his refusal to take the women seriously, Henderson does not bother to check the things carried out by the women. The vast disconnect between male assumptions and the reality of women directly