The Symbolism of the Canary in Mrs. Wright's Home
What does the canary symbolize in Mrs. Wright's home?
The canary represents Minnie Foster, the charming, fluttery youngster who was converted into the lonely, melancholy Mrs. Wright after years of neglect and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband. The loss of the canary reflects the death of Minnie's spirit as well as the loss of a valuable companion. The dead canary represents Mrs. Wright's silenced life and serves as a symbol of her suppressed agency. What does the significance of the canary reveal about Mrs. Wright's situation?
The Symbolism of the Canary in Mrs. Wright's Home
The canary in Mrs. Wright's home symbolizes her suppressed and caged life due to her oppressive husband. Its death mirrors the death of her spirit, and it becomes a symbol of her assertion of her suppressed agency. The women's choice to hide the evidence suggests solidarity among them, understanding Mrs. Wright's plight.
The canary in Mrs. Wright's home in the play 'Trifles' by Susan Glaspell is highly significant. It is depicted as a symbol of Mrs. Wright's suppressed and caged life, much like the bird in its cage. She was once cheerful and lively, much like a bird, but her oppressive husband squashed her spirit. The eventual death of the bird mirrors the death of Mrs. Wright's spirit and happiness due to her husband's harsh behavior; it's suggested that her husband is responsible for the bird's death, further emphasizing his dark and cold demeanor. Ultimately, the canary symbolizes Mrs. Wright's assertion of her buried anger and suppressed agency, as seen when she reacts to the bird's death.
The choice to hide the bird's corpse and withhold that piece of evidence suggests a shift in alliance among the women who identify with Mrs. Wright's plight, thus not only highlighting the symbolic importance of the canary but also emphasizing the theme of 'women solidarity' against oppressive circumstances.