Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
The Skin of Our Teeth
The Skin of Our Teeth is a play by Thornton Wilder, first performed in 1943.
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Overview
The play is a complicated one, with no easily followed plot structure. The play is performed mostly as a play within a play. This play within the play is where the majority of the action occurs - but a few times, the actors in the play break their fourth wall, but not ours. The play can be read on many levels, some literal and some symbolic.
Act I
Act one is an amalagam between the early 20th century New Jersey, and the dawn of the ice age. The father is inventing things such as the lever, the wheel, the alphabet, and multiplication tables.
Act II
Still 1/2 set in 20th century Jersey Atlantic City actually, but also serves as the demoralization of society before the deluge. The father plays the role of Noah.
Act III
In addition to being set in Jersey, it is also set after nuclear holocaust. The father plays the role as the leader of the winning army.
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