Provides biographical information about American author Thornton Wilder, features a selection of critical views on his body of work, and includes profiles of two Wilder plays, including "Our Town," and "The Skin of Our Teeth," each with a plot summary, list of characters, and critical essays.
General Note
"Comprehensive research and study guide.".
Content Note
Biography of Thornton Wilder -- Critical views on Wilder's work -- Edmund Wilson on the Wilder-Gold controversy -- Tyrone Guthrie on Wilder at seventy -- Malcolm Cowley on Wilder and his contemporaries -- Thornton Wilder on billions and billions -- Rex Burbank on Wilder's essential conditions for the theatre -- Edmund Fuller on Wilder's unique qualities -- Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson on Thornton Wilder's contributions -- Hermine I. Popper on the universe of Thornton Wilder -- Robert W. Corrigan on tragic features of Wilder's vision -- Plot summary of our town -- List of characters in our town -- Critical views on our town -- Mary McCarthy on using deceased characters on stage -- A.R. Fulton on expressionistic influences -- Arthur Miller on family themes -- Winfield Townley Scott on uses of simplicity -- Travis Bogard on avoiding clich and sentimentality -- Malcolm Goldstein on Emily's "good-by, world" speech -- Donald Haberman on time -- M.C. Kuner on the function of the stage manager -- Linda Simon on critical reaction to Our town -- Gilbert A. Harrison on Our town from play to film -- David Castronovo on contemporary obstacles to appreciating Our town -- Plot summary of The skin of our teeth -- List of characters in The skin of our teeth -- Critical views on The skin of our teeth -- John Gassner on theatricality -- Mary McCarthy on convention and nostalgia -- Louis Broussard on optimism -- Glenway Wescott on Wilder as an actor in his own plays -- Malcolm Goldstein on difficulties in presenting The skin of our teeth -- Donald Haberman on the power of theatricality -- M.C. Kuner on the problem of evil -- Linda Simon on critical reaction to The skin of our teeth -- Gilbert A. Harrison on the Charge of plagiarism -- David Castronovo on comparisons with Brecht's Mother Courage -- Christopher J. Wheatley on audience recognition of universal truths.