1. Thornton Wilder A Brief Biographical sketch

2. Thornton Wilder born 1897 in Madison, Wisconsin born 1897 in Madison, Wisconsin died 1975 in Hamden, Connecticut died 1975 in Hamden, Connecticut 4 siblings 4 siblings educated parents: read to him educated parents: read to him

3. Teaching Career Taught high school French Taught high school French Taught poetry at Harvard Taught poetry at Harvard Lectured on literature Lectured on literature Considered himself Considered himself a teacher 1 st, a writer 2 nd a teacher 1 st, a writer 2 nd

4. His Writing (bibliography) Has written: Has written: –Fiction –Broadway musicals –Screenplays –Dramas Pulitzer Prizes for: Pulitzer Prizes for: The Bridge Of San Luis Rey (1927). The Bridge Of San Luis Rey (1927). Our Town (1938). Our Town (1938). The Skin Of Our Teeth (1943) The Skin Of Our Teeth (1943)

5. Our Town: setting Based on Peterborough, New Hampshire, where Wilder spent his summers. Based on Peterborough, New Hampshire, where Wilder spent his summers. Characters: Gibbs and Webb families Characters: Gibbs and Webb families Action focuses on George & Emily’s childhood, courtship, marriage, and death. Action focuses on George & Emily’s childhood, courtship, marriage, and death.

6. Themes Universals in everyday life Universals in everyday life Brevity of life Brevity of life Living life to the fullest Living life to the fullest Companionship Companionship Superficiality of the theater Superficiality of the theater

7. Symbols Natural cycles Natural cycles Stages of life Stages of life Time Time Morning Morning

8. Narrator The stage manager: transcends time transcends time breaks the 4 th wall: comments on the action or informs the audience about a character’s background. breaks the 4 th wall: comments on the action or informs the audience about a character’s background.

9. Why Popular One of the most frequently staged American plays One of the most frequently staged American plays Universality Universality Easy to produce: Easy to produce: No scenery except for tables, chairs, ladders, and a few other objects. No scenery except for tables, chairs, ladders, and a few other objects.