The ability of a playwright to create suspense and tension through stage direction is a distinct talent, and few have mastered it as Susan Glaspell in her play, ‘Trifles’. A unique combination of suspense, mystery, and drama, ‘Trifles’ leverages critical stage directions to heighten the tension and engage the audience. This article will critically assess the pivotal stage direction in ‘Trifles’ that amplifies suspense and discuss how it contributes to the overall tension of the narrative.
Analyzing the Key Stage Direction in ‘Trifles’ Elevating Suspense
In ‘Trifles’, Glaspell uses stage direction as a significant tool to underscore the psychological tension and deepen the audience’s engagement. One pivotal stage direction that amplifies suspense is when Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters discover the dead bird. The stage direction reads, "Mrs. Peters unbuttons her fur coat, opens it. They look again at the box, which Mrs. Peters is holding in her hands." This moment, when Mrs. Peters reveals the box’s contents, elevates the suspense and adds a layer of mystery to the plot.
Additionally, Glaspell’s stage direction, where she instructs the women to hide the bird, creates an atmosphere of conspiracy that holds the audience’s attention. The direction reads, "Mrs. Hale takes box quickly and puts it in the pocket of her big coat." The urgency of her actions and the implied secrecy heightens the suspense, urging the audience to anticipate the aftermath. It lends a symbolic importance to the bird and suggests a hidden truth behind its death, piquing the audience’s curiosity.
Interpreting the Crucial Dramatic Element in ‘Trifles’ that Heightens Tension
Glaspell’s stage direction is not just a logistical tool; it is a narrative device that underpins the dramatic tension in ‘Trifles’. One such crucial dramatic element is when the women discover the bird’s broken cage. The stage direction reads, "Mrs. Hale puts more quilt pieces over the box. Then she takes up the broken cage." The broken cage connotes a sense of liberation and rebellion, intensifying the tension and evoking an emotional response from the audience.
Furthermore, the stage direction where Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters hide the bird from the men deepens the dramatic tension. The direction reads, "They cover the box with a piece of quilt, and stand still. After a moment, Mrs. Peters puts the lid on the box and hides it in her handbag." This secretive action reveals their complicity in covering up an important piece of evidence, heightening the inherent tension and suspense. The quick and stealthy gestures underscore the psychological tension and communicate a sense of impending danger.
In conclusion, Susan Glaspell masterfully uses stage direction as a vital narrative tool in ‘Trifles’ to amplify suspense and heighten tension. Her use of crucial dramatic elements and pivotal directions reveals hidden truths, creates a sense of conspiracy, and intensifies the psychological tension, effectively engaging the audience in the narrative. Glaspell’s ‘Trifles’ serves as a compelling study in the utilization of stage direction as a potent device to underscore narrative tension and to captivate the audience’s attention.