When Wilder’s “The Skin of our Teeth” first came to the stage in 1942, the audience
had difficulty understanding the play. Many of them left the theatre before the 3rd Act
had started. The audience hadn’t shared the same background as Wilder and one could
say that they weren’t ready for his play yet. However, most of the critics favoured the
new play and Wilder received his third Pulitzer Prize for it.
“The Skin of our Teeth” is strongly influenced by Wilder’s experience of two World
Wars and his visit of English cities, which had been destroyed by German bombs, in
1941, where he was astonished by the “almost amused bewilderment”1 the British
showed whilst facing the disasters of war.2
During the late 1930s Wilder studied the works of James Joyce and admits that “The
Skin of our Teeth” is “deeply indebted to James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake”3, whilst
critics called it “an American re-creation, thinly disguised”4 with reference to the
Joycean novel. He borrowed ideas from many other authors like André Obey.
A second source of inspiration, every bit as important to “The Skin of our Teeth” as
the highbrow “Finnegan’s Wake”, was the lowbrow, popular entertainment of the day:
the burlesque. Especially the work of the American comedians Olsen and Johnson
shows a certain affinity to Wilder’s play.
Wilder did not see himself as an innovator, but a man who tried to keep the craft of
writing alive.
“I am not an innovator, but a rediscoverer of forgotten goods and I hope a remover
of obtrusive bric á brac”5
1 Erwin Häberle, Das szenische Werk Thornton Wilders (Heidelberg 1967) pp. 91
2 ibid. pp. 91-107
3 Thornton Wilder, Our Town and Other Plays (1962) p.14
4 Rex Burbank, Thornton Wilder (Boston 1961), p.101
5 Thorton Wilder, Our Town and Other Plays (1962), p.14
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Play
- 2.1 Sabina
- 2.2 Mrs Antrobus
- 2.3 Gladys Antrobus
- 2.4 Fortune Teller
- 3. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the female characters in Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth," exploring their roles, relationships, and contributions to the play's overall themes. The analysis focuses on how these characters embody various aspects of humanity's struggle for survival and their interaction with the play's allegorical representation of mankind.
- The portrayal of women in a post-war context
- The allegorical representation of humanity through the Antrobus family
- The interplay between comedic and serious elements in the play
- The exploration of archetypal female figures (Eve, Lilith)
- The role of female characters in driving the narrative
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by discussing the initial reception of Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth," highlighting the audience's difficulty in understanding the play's themes in 1942. It also examines Wilder's sources of inspiration, including James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" and the popular burlesque of the time. The chapter emphasizes Wilder's self-perception as a "rediscoverer" rather than an innovator, which shaped his approach to playwriting.
2. The Play: This chapter provides an overview of "The Skin of Our Teeth," framing it as an allegory of the human race's struggle against overwhelming forces. It introduces the Antrobus family as a representation of mankind facing successive catastrophes – the Ice Age, a flood, and a world war. The chapter narrows its focus to the female characters – Sabina, Mrs. Antrobus, Gladys, and the Fortune Teller – promising an analysis of their attitudes and relationships within the play's narrative.
2.1 Sabina: This section delves into the character of Sabina, portraying her as the housemaid with a dual nature reminiscent of Lilith, Adam's first wife. Sabina is presented as feisty and witty but also vain, petulant, materialistic, and immoral. Despite these flaws, her desire for simple pleasures—a new hat or ice cream—provides a reason to survive. The contrast between Sabina and Mrs. Antrobus is highlighted, showing Sabina as a figure who caters to men's desires during times of ease, but lacking commitment during crises. Her "anti-intellectualism" is further explored through her alter ego, Miss Somerset, revealing her ambivalent relationship with the play itself. Sabina's comedic role, particularly her frequent departures from her stage persona, is also analyzed.
2.2 Mrs. Antrobus: This section focuses on Mrs. Maggie Antrobus, presented as the embodiment of the selfless American mother. Compared to a tigress, she represents enduring maternal strength and the "eternal homemaker." Her character embodies unwavering love and protective instincts in the face of calamities.
Keywords
Thornton Wilder, The Skin of Our Teeth, female characters, allegory, humanity, survival, Sabina, Mrs. Antrobus, post-war context, archetypes, comedy, tragedy, American family, World War II.
Frequently Asked Questions: Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth" - A Feminist Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the female characters in Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth," examining their roles, relationships, and contributions to the play's overall themes. It explores how these characters represent various aspects of humanity's struggle for survival within the play's allegorical framework.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the portrayal of women in a post-war context, the allegorical representation of humanity through the Antrobus family, the interplay between comedic and serious elements, the exploration of archetypal female figures (Eve, Lilith), and the role of female characters in driving the narrative.
Which female characters are analyzed in detail?
The paper focuses on four main female characters: Sabina, Mrs. Antrobus, Gladys Antrobus, and the Fortune Teller. Each character's role and significance are analyzed individually and in relation to each other.
How does the paper describe Sabina's character?
Sabina is portrayed as a complex character with a dual nature, reminiscent of Lilith. She is described as feisty, witty, vain, petulant, materialistic, and immoral. However, her desire for simple pleasures motivates her survival. The contrast between Sabina and Mrs. Antrobus is highlighted, emphasizing Sabina's ambivalent relationship with the play itself and her comedic role.
What is the significance of Mrs. Antrobus' character?
Mrs. Antrobus is presented as the embodiment of the selfless American mother, representing enduring maternal strength and unwavering love in the face of calamities. She is compared to a tigress, symbolizing protective instincts.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into chapters: an introduction discussing the play's initial reception and Wilder's inspirations; a chapter on the play itself, framing it as an allegory of humanity's struggle; individual sections analyzing each key female character; and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, objectives, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are some of the sources of inspiration mentioned for Wilder's play?
The paper mentions James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" and the popular burlesque of the time as sources of inspiration for Wilder.
What is the significance of the play's allegorical nature?
The play is framed as an allegory of the human race's struggle against overwhelming forces, with the Antrobus family representing mankind facing various catastrophes (the Ice Age, a flood, and a world war).
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Thornton Wilder, The Skin of Our Teeth, female characters, allegory, humanity, survival, Sabina, Mrs. Antrobus, post-war context, archetypes, comedy, tragedy, American family, World War II.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section of the paper, outlining the key points and arguments presented in each chapter.
- Citation du texte
- Isabel Zosig (Auteur), 2003, Thornton Wilder - "The Skin of our Teeth". The female characters of the play, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/21344
