The Philadelphia Story Themes

The Philadelphia Story Themes

Prejudice and Tolerance

Tracy Lord believes that her uncompromising morals are part of her strong character: she expects "exceptionally high standards for herself and "lives up to them." She is disappointed when others fail to live up to her standards. In fact, her father's behavior caused a deep schism in their relationship, as she was unable to forgive him. Also, her husband's alcoholism led to their estrangement; instead of trying to help him, she had rejected him for his weakness.

Tracy's brief fling with Mike, which becomes the source of many comic misunderstandings in Act III, enables her to break free of her own self-imposed moral straitjacket and become more sensitive to human weakness. By the end of the play, she has cast off her prejudices and embraced a more tolerant standard from which to judge herself and others.

Public vs. Private Life

The stimulus for much of the comedy in The Philadelphia Story is...
(read more)