A HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY by Thornton Wilder A featured author presentation by Samuel Bolin, April 14, 2015 Literary Highlights The first time Thornton Wilder wrote professionally was in college for the Oberlin Literary Magazine and the Yale Literary Magazine. He graduated in 1920 from Yale and in 1926 returned to school to receive his M.A. degree from Princeton University. In 1927, a year out of college, he wrote his first Pulitzer Prize winning novel: The Bridge of San Luis Rey. Then fast forward to 1938 when he captures his second Pulitzer Prize with the writing of the famous play, Our Town. In 1942,Wilder writes his third and final Pulitzer Prize: The Skin of Our Teeth. Personal Highlights In all, Wilder authored seven novels and three full-length plays, many considered Thornton Niven Wilder was born in Madison, Wisconsin on to be American classics. Wilder also April 17, 1897 to Isabella Thornton Niven and Amos Parker wrote nearly 10,000 letters to friends and family, showing Wilder’s affinity toward Wilder. Wilder’s twin brother died at birth, a source of life-long friendship and relationships. Among loneliness for Wilder. Wilder’s often absent yet overbearing Wilder’s unpublished works is a little father expressed concern about Wilder’s masculinity and known story entitled, “A House in the direction. Wilder would later write about his “unworthiness” Country”. Based on letters Wilder wrote concerning his father’s approval, but remained loyal to the to his family, he was worried the story Wilder family. Wilder never married, but was one of three living would never be published, however hoped it “…would bring pleasure to the little siblings including a sister, Charlotte, who was an award-winning republic of Wilders.” poet thought to have suffered from schizophrenia. Charlotte was institutionalized late in life until her death. 1963 1965 1973 Presented with the Presented with the Wins National U.S. Presidential National Medal of Book Award for Medal of Freedom Literature Theophilus North THE HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY THORNTON WILDER Wilder’s “A House in the Country” contains themes and concepts that run parallel to the author’s own life. 2 THE HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY THORNTON WILDER New Brand of Humanism Emerging from a childhood defined by “unworthiness,” author and playwright Thornton Wilder developed in his writings, a new brand of humanism that valued the priceless nature of the “everyday,” an optimistic human spirit, and a love of community. Priceless nature of the “everyday”. Wilder’s authentic passion for the priceless nature of the everyday is a hallmark of Wilder’s famous play, Our Town. The play has almost no scenery, but focuses purely on the regular life of two families as they grow, love, marry and die. Wilder’s play points out the precious gift of life and the value of even the most common and everyday events. Optimistic human spirit. In his award-winning novel, Theophilus North, Wilder’s protagonist expresses his many optimistic ambitions in life. In the end, Theophilus’ optimistic spirit proves good can overcome evil. In his novel, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Wilder turns the tragic deaths of five strangers into what critics called “a breath of fresh air.” Love of community. In Wilder’s play, The Skin of Our Teeth, Wilder’s love of community is evidenced in the survival of the family unit (a key theme of the play) and his unique approach to allowing his actors to break character and directly interact with the audience. Wilder used this technique to engage the audience in a real form of community, drawing the audience closer to the actors both as characters and as individual people. A famous line in Our Town offers a folksy summary of Wilder’s love of community: “People are meant to go through life two-by-two. ‘Tain’t natural to be lonesome.’” 3 A HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY THORNTON WILDER Constructing the Plot One of the unique aspects of “A House in the Country” is that the story was never published for public consumption until after Wilder’s death. Therefore, very little analysis has been offered for the story. This gives us an opportunity to develop our own analysis based on what we know about Wilder’s past, his brand of “new humanism”, and our interpretation of the story he left for his family. Protagonist: Old Malcolm, Warehouse Clerk Setting: Warehouse; Boarding House; Mansion Start Thoughts… Group Thoughts… Old Malcolm was an open-minded man who thought great thoughts… but was Beg misunderstood. Surprisingly, not many inning like him, primarily because he wasn’t a good clerk. He was known as an “unsociable dreamer.” He began to construct a world of his own to feel like he was important. When Old Malcolm didn’t take time to dream, he would lose sight of reality. Middle After a while he couldn’t control the need to dream and for hours he would stare in wonder. He finally was overpowered and dreaming BECAME his reality. In his dreams, he owned a mansion where he was admired for his wisdom. Finally, Old Malcolm could no longer End work at his job. He could still imagine and dream – and it gave him great peace, but he was trapped and confined to a physically restricted world. A HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY VOCABULARY WORDS In order of appearance. Bill-of-lading – noun Tranquilizing - verb A detailed list of a shipment of To make tranquil; pacify goods in the form of a receipt Abstraction - noun Magnanimity – noun Quality of dealing with ideas The fact or condition of being rather than events generous Monotony - noun Prudence – noun Lack of variety and interest; The quality of being prudent or tedious repetition and routine cautious Propitious – adjective Ruminate - verb Think deeply about something Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable Consummation - noun Admonish – verb The point at which something is Warn or reprimand someone complete or finalized firmly Indistinguishable - adjective Not able to be identified as different or distinct .