Thornton Wilder / edited and with an introduction by Harold Bloom.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bloom, Harold.

Series:

Bloom's major dramatists

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975--Criticism and interpretation.

Wilder, Thornton.

Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

91 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia : Chelsea House, [2003]

Summary:

-- User's guide-- A comprehensive biography of the playwright-- Detailed plot summaries of each play-- Extracts from important critical essays that examine important aspects of each work-- A complete bibliography of the writer's plays-- A list of critical works about the playwright and his works-- An index of themes and ideas covered in the plays

Contents:

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.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-88) and index.

ISBN:

0791070336

OCLC:

49923172