The next feminist ideal shown to the reader comes in the form of a negative male stereotype-that men are uncaring and trivialize serious situations. The playwright illustrates this stereotype of male insensitivity through the constant laughing among the male characters. The speech of the Sheriff and County Attorney are described by Glaspell as "chuckling" and "scoffingly". Also, in the beginning of the play, "the men laugh" when Mrs. Hale questions whether Mrs. Wright is going to quilt or knot her piece of fabric. In a more subtle criticism of male dominance, Glaspell makes the comparison of the bird, non-existent cat, and birdcage, to Minnie and John Wright and to John Wright's house. Much like a bird, Minnie Wright is described as "happy and fluttery", at least until John Wright chokes the spiritual and emotional life out of her in the "quiet and gloomy" house that can easily be compared to the now empty birdcage. Finally, and most importantly, the play views women as being more likely to pay attention to detail. According to Mr. Hale, "women are used to worrying over their trifles". .

             Because of this propensity to look more carefully at seemingly insignificant details, the women of the play are able to use this stereotype in order to find the truth surrounding the murder of John Wright. The women notice the mental decay of Minnie Wright through the messiness house, and more obviously through the increased shoddiness in the stitching of one of Mrs. Wright's quilts. "All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It's all over the place! Why, it looks as if she didn't know what she was about! (After she has said this they look at each other.)" The women's fears are realized when they discover the dead bird that has been strangled much the way John Wright had been murdered. After coming to the realization that Mrs. Wright is indeed the killer, in an act of sisterhood, the women decide to protect her by not divulging the evidence that they have discovered.