A literary work often subtly alludes to a situation in society that the author finds particularly significant. Susan Glaspell incorporates social commentary into her work Trifles. In doing so, it highlights the gender stratification that exists in even the most basic interactions and presents a way to use this social barrier to an acceptable end. Despite being written nearly a century before the present day, Glaspell's findings and the resulting solution are still valid in a modern context. Trifles demonstrates the roles of men and women in their everyday behavior and interaction. Women use their assigned positions to accomplish what men cannot and have the ability to deliberately choose not to help men with their newfound knowledge. Trifles is an excellent example of gender stratification at the most basic level: everyday conversation and behavior. Interactionists have observed common patterns that recur in everyday interaction between men and women. As in Glaspell's work, men have been shown to regularly change the topic of conversation and ignore a woman's ideas. (Kumbamu) Over the course of the show the county attorney interrupts or dismisses the women's concerns as simply 'nonsense' wanting to 'talk about it more...later.' (Glaspell 141) The women's actions exemplify what are considered feminine behavioral roles. Women except and do not challenge the obvious male verbal dominance and instead prove adaptable to circumstances and provide emotional support. (Kumbamu) Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are placed against their will in a 'solitary' environment from which they would normally have stayed away. (Glaspell 143) Despite their uncomfortable situation, they instinctively support each other and defend Mrs. W...... middle of paper...... to apply to modern gender stratification situations. Works Cited Glaspell, Susan. "Nonsense." Literature: a world of writing. Ed. David L. Pike and Ana M. Acosta. New York: Pearson Longman, 2011. 139-45. Print.Grose, Janet L. “The Nonsense of Susan Glaspell and 'A Jury of Her Peers': Women's Reading and Communication.” Tennessee Philological Bulletin: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Philological Association 36 (1999): 27-48. MLA international bibliography. Network. November 17, 2011. Holstein, Suzy Clarkson. “Social Justice in a Different Key: Glaspell's Nonsense.” Midwest Quarterly: A Journal Of Contemporary Thought 44.3 (2003): 282-90. MLA international bibliography. Network. November 17, 2011.Kumbamu, Ashok. “Chapter 12: Stratification by Gender.” University of Alberta. November 8, 2011. Conference.