“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell first appeared in print in 1917 in the pages of Every Week magazine, was not originally included in a collection, the story’s enduring merit has secured its place in numerous anthologies. Its strengths lie in the nuanced exploration of gender roles and societal expectations prevalent in rural America at the time. A feminist forerunner, Glaspell sheds light on the unspoken realities of women’s lives, particularly the isolation and constraints that could fester beneath an unassuming exterior. The focus on seemingly insignificant details and the power of unspoken communication between women resonates deeply with readers, solidifying “A Jury of Her Peers” as a captivating and thought-provoking work.

Main Events in “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

1. A Grim Discovery: Sheriff Lewis and County Attorney Henderson arrive at the isolated Wright farmhouse to investigate the reported death of John Wright. Mrs. Peters, accompanying her sheriff husband, joins Mrs. Hale, the neighbor, at the farmhouse.
2. Cleaning with Unease: While the men focus on the crime scene, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale are tasked with cleaning the house. As they go about their chores, a sense of unease grows as they observe peculiar details – a broken birdcage, a lack of freshly baked bread, and an assortment of empty fruit jars.
3. Hints of Isolation: These seemingly insignificant details paint a picture of Minnie Wright’s potential isolation and loneliness within the marriage. The lack of fresh bread suggests a neglect of household duties, while the empty jars could hint at a lack of fulfillment in her life.
4. A Hidden Cry for Help: As they delve deeper into the cleaning, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters make a shocking discovery – a dead canary hidden within a sewing basket. Additionally, they find a ripped quilt with a missing lining. These hidden elements add another layer of distress to Minnie’s situation.
5. Blind Spots of the Law: Focused on traditional signs of violence, the male authorities, Sheriff Lewis and County Attorney Henderson, completely miss the significance of these subtle clues that hint at Minnie’s emotional state.
6. Empathy Blossoms: Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, however, begin to connect the dots. They empathize with Minnie’s situation, recognizing the possibility of a desperate act driven by isolation and unhappiness.
7. A Difficult Decision: Fearing that the hidden evidence – the dead canary and the ripped quilt – could be used against Minnie, the women face a difficult decision. They grapple with the potential legal ramifications but ultimately choose to conceal these incriminating elements.
8. Frustration and a Shift: Returning from their investigation frustrated by the lack of definitive evidence, the men encounter Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. Here, the story takes a subtle turn.
9. Unspoken Communication: Through a display of unspoken understanding, the women subtly connect the dots for the male authorities. Their body language and expressions reveal a newfound understanding of Minnie’s situation.
10. The Canary’s Song: The climax arrives as Mrs. Hale reveals the previously hidden dead canary. This act, coupled with the sight of the ripped quilt lining clutched in Mrs. Peter’s hand, indirectly suggests Minnie’s motive.
11. Emotional Context Unveiled: Confronted with the emotional context unveiled by the women’s silent accusation, the men are left speechless. The dead canary becomes a symbol of Minnie’s stifled life, while the ripped quilt lining hints at the struggle that may have led to John Wright’s demise.
12. A Moral Dilemma: The story concludes with the implication that the women will protect Minnie. They choose to withhold the incriminating evidence, leaving the legal ramifications of the situation deliberately ambiguous. This final act forces the reader to grapple with the moral dilemma – are they protecting a murderer or a victim driven to a desperate act?
13. Beyond the Obvious: “A Jury of Her Peers” highlights the importance of looking beyond the obvious. The subtle clues observed by the women play a crucial role in piecing together the events that transpired within the Wright household.
14. Gender Roles and Empathy: The story also delves into the limitations placed upon women during this time period. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, despite their confined roles, demonstrate a deep understanding of Minnie’s emotional state, highlighting the power of female empathy.
15. A Lingering Question: The story leaves the reader with a lingering question – will the women’s actions ultimately lead to justice or merely protect a murderer?

Literary Devices in “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Device	Definition	Example
Characterization (indirect)	Revealing a character’s traits through their actions, dialogue, or thoughts.	The lack of freshly baked bread at the Wright house suggests Minnie Wright’s neglect of household duties.
Foreshadowing	Hints about future events planted throughout the story.	The broken birdcage foreshadows the discovery of the dead canary and Minnie’s stifled life.
Hyperbole	An exaggeration used for emphasis.	“It never seemed to me that Minnie could hurt a fly” (Mrs. Hale).
Irony (dramatic)	The audience knows something a character doesn’t.	The women know the significance of the dead canary, while the men remain clueless.
Irony (situational)	An event occurs that contradicts expectations.	The women, expected to clean the crime scene, end up uncovering evidence that aids Minnie.
Metaphor	A comparison between two things that are not alike, but share a similar characteristic.	The dead canary symbolizes Minnie’s stifled life and isolation.
Metonymy	Substituting a closely related thing for something else.	The empty jars could represent Minnie’s unfulfilled life and lack of purpose.
Mood	The overall feeling created by the story.	The story evokes a sense of suspense, claustrophobia, and unspoken tension.
Onomatopoeia	A word that imitates the sound it describes.	“Thump as the men’s shoes scraped on the puncheon floor.”
Personification	Giving human qualities to non-human things.	“The house had a sinister appearance.”
Point of View (third-person limited)	The story is narrated from a perspective with limited access to characters’ thoughts.	The reader primarily experiences the story through the observations of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters.
Simile	A comparison between two things using “like” or “as.”	“The kitchen… was cluttered up with a confusion of things.”
Symbolism	An object, person, or place that represents something else, a deeper meaning.	The ripped quilt represents the unraveling of Minnie’s life and marriage.
Synecdoche	Using a part to represent the whole.	“Her hands were thin and … showed wrists abused and swollen.”
Understatement	Downplaying the seriousness of a situation.	“It’s kind of queer about Minnie’s not having a bird anymore.” (Mrs. Hale)
Verbal Irony	Saying the opposite of what one means.	“Oh, Lewis, I wouldn’t go near her with a ten-foot pole.” (Mrs. Peters) (She actually feels empathy for Minnie.)
Foreshadowing	Hints about future events planted throughout the story.	The broken birdcage foreshadows the discovery of the dead canary and Minnie’s stifled life.

Characterization in “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Major Characters:

Minor Characters:

• George Henderson: The County Attorney, Henderson, embodies a more stereotypical and dismissive view of women. He focuses on the traditional signs of violence and fails to grasp the emotional context surrounding Minnie’s situation.
• Henry Peters: The Sheriff, Henry Peters, appears less antagonistic towards Minnie but ultimately defers to the judgment of County Attorney Henderson.
• Lewis Hale: Mrs. Hale’s husband, Lewis, plays a minor role but serves as a bridge between the domestic sphere and the investigation. He is the one who discovers John Wright’s body and relays the initial information to the authorities.

Major Themes in “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

1. Gender Roles and Expectations: The story delves into the traditional gender roles and expectations of women in early 20th-century rural America. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters find themselves marginalized and underestimated by the men in the story, who dismiss their concerns and observations as trivial. Despite this, the women’s perspective and insights ultimately prove crucial in uncovering the truth about Minnie Wright’s situation. For example, the men ridicule the women’s attention to domestic details like preserves and a dirty towel, but these details hold significant clues to understanding Minnie’s state of mind and potential motives.
2. Isolation and Loneliness: The setting of the story, a remote farmhouse in the harsh landscape of winter, underscores themes of isolation and loneliness. The Wright household is described as lonesome-looking, surrounded by barren trees, mirroring Minnie’s own emotional isolation. Through Minnie’s story, the narrative explores the consequences of social isolation and the toll it takes on one’s mental well-being.
3. Justice and Empathy: The story challenges conventional notions of justice and the legal system’s ability to understand and address the complexities of human behavior. While the men focus solely on finding evidence to support their preconceived notions of guilt, the women demonstrate empathy and a deeper understanding of Minnie’s situation. They recognize the oppression and loneliness Minnie experienced in her marriage, ultimately leading them to empathize with her actions rather than condemn them.
4. Domesticity and Rebellion: The domestic space, typically associated with women’s traditional roles, becomes a site of rebellion and resistance for Minnie Wright. Through her preservation of cherries and concerns about her fruit jars, the story symbolizes Minnie’s desire for autonomy and agency within the confines of her domestic life. Her act of rebellion, though ultimately tragic, reflects the broader theme of women’s resistance against oppressive societal norms.

Writing Style in “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

• Direct and Objective: The narration is generally direct and objective, focusing on the actions and observations of the characters, particularly Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. This allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about the events and characters’ motivations.
• Dialogue-Heavy: A significant portion of the story unfolds through dialogue between the characters. This allows for a natural flow of information and reveals personalities through conversations. The dialogue also reflects the rural setting and time period, with colloquial language and simple sentence structure.
• Subtlety and Symbolism: Glaspell employs a subtle style, using seemingly insignificant details to build a deeper understanding of the characters and the situation. Objects like the broken birdcage, empty jars, and dead canary become symbolic representations of Minnie’s isolation and emotional state. The reader is encouraged to pay close attention to these details to piece together the story.
• Focus on Atmosphere: The writing creates a distinct atmosphere of suspense, claustrophobia, and unspoken tension. This is achieved through descriptions of the Wright farmhouse and the characters’ emotional responses to their surroundings. The oppressive nature of the house reflects the characters’ feelings of entrapment.
• Feminist Perspective: The story subtly critiques the societal expectations placed on women during this time period. Through Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters’ observations and actions, Glaspell highlights the power of female empathy and their unique understanding of Minnie’s situation.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Specific Points from the Story
Feminist Theory	Focuses on gender roles, power dynamics, and the oppression of women.	Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, the two women in the story, offer insights into the female experience and challenge the male-dominated perspective. They empathize with Minnie’s plight and ultimately protect her.
Marxist Theory	Analyzes social class, economic inequality, and the struggle between the proletariat and bourgeoisie.	The Wrights’ modest farmhouse and Minnie’s lack of resources reflect the economic hardships faced by rural families. The men’s dismissal of the women’s concerns highlights class-based biases.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Explores the subconscious, motivations, and inner conflicts of characters.	Minnie’s isolation and suppressed emotions are evident in her neglected home and disheveled appearance. Her act of rebellion through the dead canary symbolizes her subconscious desires for freedom and revenge.
New Historicism	Examines the text within its historical and cultural context, focusing on power dynamics and societal norms.	The story reflects the patriarchal society of early 20th-century rural America, where women were marginalized and their experiences often ignored. The men’s attitudes towards the women highlight prevailing gender norms.
Reader-Response Theory	Emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting and constructing meaning from the text.	Readers may empathize with the women’s perspective and question the fairness of the legal system. The story prompts readers to reflect on their own views on gender, justice, and empathy.
Formalist/Narrative Theory	Analyzes the structure, symbolism, and language of the text to uncover its deeper meanings.	The story’s focus on domestic details, such as preserves and a dirty towel, symbolizes the hidden truths and complexities of Minnie’s life. Symbolism, such as the dead canary, reveals underlying themes of oppression and rebellion.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Gender Roles	How do the characters in “A Jury of Her Peers” challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles?	In “A Jury of Her Peers,” Susan Glaspell subverts traditional gender roles through the characters of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, ultimately highlighting the oppressive nature of patriarchal society.
Justice and Empathy	How does the story explore the themes of justice and empathy, particularly in relation to Minnie Wright?	Through its portrayal of the male characters’ dismissive attitude towards Minnie Wright’s plight, “A Jury of Her Peers” underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in the pursuit of justice.
Symbolism and Meaning	What symbolic elements are present in the story, and what do they represent?	Susan Glaspell employs symbolism, such as the dead canary and the unfinished chores, to convey themes of oppression, isolation, and female solidarity in “A Jury of Her Peers.”
Social Commentary	How does “A Jury of Her Peers” critique the societal norms and expectations of early 20th-century America?	Through its depiction of rural life and the dynamics between men and women, the story offers a poignant critique of the gender inequalities and injustices prevalent in early 20th-century American society.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

• Who are the true jurors in the story, and how do they reach their verdict?
• While Sheriff Lewis and County Attorney Henderson hold the official titles, the true jurors in “A Jury of Her Peers” are Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters. Unlike the men who focus solely on physical evidence, these women become jurors of Minnie’s emotional state. They reach their verdict not through a formal trial but through a series of observations and unspoken communication. The key evidence for Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters isn’t bloody fingerprints or a murder weapon, but seemingly insignificant details within the Wright farmhouse. The empty fruit jars, a sign of Minnie’s neglected domestic duties, and the broken birdcage, symbolizing a loss of vibrancy, paint a picture of a lonely and potentially desperate woman. The hidden discovery of the dead canary further strengthens their case. The canary, a traditionally cherished pet, represents a stifled life. Its demise becomes a metaphor for Minnie’s own stifled spirit. Ultimately, their verdict isn’t a guilty or not guilty, but a silent decision to protect Minnie. By concealing the dead canary and the ripped quilt lining (potentially used as a weapon), they choose to withhold evidence that could incriminate her. This act of defiance against the established legal system demonstrates their belief that Minnie deserves compassion and understanding, not punishment.
• What is the significance of the dead canary?
• The dead canary in “A Jury of Her Peers” is a powerful symbol with multiple layers of meaning. On a surface level, it represents a loss of life. However, its significance goes deeper, reflecting the emotional state of Minnie Wright. Canaries were traditionally cherished household pets, known for their beautiful song. A dead canary in a cage signifies not just death, but the silencing of a once vibrant creature. This directly parallels Minnie’s situation. The story portrays her as a woman whose spirit has been crushed by isolation and loneliness within her marriage. Just as the bird’s song is silenced, Minnie’s voice has been stifled. The discovery of the dead canary by Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters becomes a crucial turning point. It’s a hidden piece of the puzzle that speaks volumes about Minnie’s emotional state and potential desperation. The canary’s death foreshadows the possibility of a violent act within the Wright household, but it’s a violence born out of despair rather than malice.
• How does the story depict the societal expectations for women?
• “A Jury of Her Peers” subtly critiques the societal expectations placed on women during this time period. The story confines the female characters, particularly Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, to domestic roles. Their opinions and observations are initially disregarded by the male authorities, Sheriff Lewis and County Attorney Henderson. The men view the women’s concerns about the empty jars and the broken birdcage as irrelevant gossip, solely focused on maintaining a clean and organized household. However, beneath this surface portrayal, Glaspell highlights the power of female empathy and understanding. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, despite their confined roles, demonstrate a deeper awareness of the emotional realities faced by women like Minnie. They recognize the loneliness and despair that could have driven Minnie to a desperate act. This unspoken bond between the women stands in stark contrast to the dismissive and impersonal approach of the male characters.
• What is the ending’s implication, and what moral dilemma does it pose?
• The ending of “A Jury of Her Peers” is deliberately ambiguous, leaving the reader to grapple with a complex moral dilemma. By concealing the dead canary and the ripped quilt lining, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters clearly obstruct justice. They withhold evidence that could potentially convict Minnie of murder. However, the story also paints a picture of Minnie as a victim of circumstance. Her isolated and stifled life within the marriage suggests a level of desperation that could have led to violence. The act of hiding the evidence can be seen as an act of compassion, a choice to protect a woman who may not have been in full control of her actions. Ultimately, the reader is left to decide whether Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are accomplices to murder or protectors of a victim. The story challenges traditional notions of justice and compels the reader to consider the emotional context that may lie beneath the surface of a crime

Suggested Readings about/on “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Books:

• Glaspell, Susan. “A jury of her peers.” Literature and Gender. Routledge, 2013. 370-384.
• Glaspell, Susan. Plays by Susan Glaspell. Cambridge University Press, 1987.
• Ben-Zvi, Linda. Susan Glaspell: her life and times. Oxford University Press, 2007.
• Ben-Zvi, Linda, ed. Susan Glaspell: essays on her theater and fiction. University of Michigan Press, 2002.
• Ozieblo, Barbara, and Jerry Richard Dickey. Susan Glaspell and Sophie Treadwell. New York: Routledge, 2008.

Articles:

• Gazzaz, Rasha Asim. Suppressed Voices: Women and Class in the Fiction of Susan Glaspell. Diss. University of Leicester, 2015.
• Carpentier, Martha C., and Barbara Ozieblo. Disclosing Intertextualities: The Stories, Plays, and Novels of Susan Glaspell. Vol. 37. BRILL, 2016.
• Black, Cheryl. “Making Queer New Things’: Queer Identities in the Life and Dramaturgy of Susan Glaspell.” Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism (2005): 49-64.
• Ben-Zvi, Linda. “The Political as Personal in the Writing of Susan Glaspell.” Disclosing Intertextualities. Brill, 2006. 275-294.
• Carpentier, Martha C. “The deracinated self: immigrants, orphans, and the” migratory consciousness” of Willa Cather and Susan Glaspell.” Studies in American Fiction 35.2 (2007): 131-157.
• Fletcher, Caroline Violet. ““THE RULES OF THE INSTITUTION”: SUSAN GLASPELL AND SISTERHOOD.” Disclosing Intertextualities. Brill, 2006. 239-256.

Websites:

• Susan Glaspell Society: https://blogs.shu.edu/glaspellsociety/ (This website offers biographical information on Glaspell, resources on her work, and critical essays.)
• SparkNotes: “A Jury of Her Peers”: https://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/a-jury-of-her-peers/summary/ (This website provides a summary, character analysis, and themes for “A Jury of Her Peers.”)
• Modern American Literature: “A Jury of Her Peers”: https://americanliterature.com/author/susan-glaspell/short-story/a-jury-of-her-peers (This website contains a brief analysis and discussion prompts for “A Jury of Her Peers.”)

Representative Quotations from “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Quotation	Context	Theorization
“Martha Hale opened the storm-door and got a cut of the north wind…But what her eye took in was that her kitchen was in no shape for leaving.”	Martha Hale rushes to join the men waiting outside, leaving her kitchen in disarray. This sets the scene and establishes Martha’s character as someone who values order and completion of tasks.	This quotation highlights Martha’s internal conflict between her sense of duty towards her household chores and the urgency of the situation.
“The country’s not very pleasant this time of year.”	Mrs. Peters makes small talk, attempting to ease the tension, as they approach the Wright place.	This reflects the attempt to maintain social norms and decorum in uncomfortable situations.
“I didn’t see or hear anything. I knocked at the door…and there, in that rocker…sat Mrs. Wright.”	Mr. Hale describes his discovery of Mrs. Wright in a detached manner, emphasizing her unusual behavior.	The detached tone hints at the detachment of society from women’s experiences and struggles.
“She just pointed upstairs–like this–“	Mrs. Wright’s simple gesture reveals the location of her husband’s body, showcasing her emotional detachment from the situation.	This reflects Mrs. Wright’s psychological state and her acceptance of her husband’s fate.
“He died of a rope round his neck…and just went on pleatin’ at her apron.”	Mrs. Wright’s calm admission of her husband’s death shocks Mr. Hale, highlighting her emotional repression and inner turmoil.	This suggests the oppressive nature of Mrs. Wright’s marriage and her suppressed emotions.
“Nobody spoke; it was as if every one were seeing the woman who had sat there the morning before.”	The silence in the room indicates the shared understanding and empathy for Mrs. Wright’s plight among the onlookers.	This demonstrates the collective realization of the tragedy and the recognition of Mrs. Wright’s suffering.
“Well, my first thought was to get that rope off… ‘No, he’s dead all right, and we’d better not touch anything.’ So we went downstairs.”	Mr. Hale’s initial impulse to remove the rope contrasts with Harry’s caution, reflecting the tension between action and restraint in the face of tragedy.	This highlights the characters’ differing responses to the situation and the moral dilemmas they face.
“We may have looked as if we didn’t see how that could be, for after a minute she said, ‘I sleep sound.'”	Mrs. Wright’s assertion that she slept soundly despite her husband’s murder adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the case.	This raises questions about Mrs. Wright’s complicity or innocence and the true nature of her character.