Compare and contrast The Skin of Our Teeth with James Joyce's Finnegan's Wake (1939). Wilder acknowledged that Joyce's novel was an important influence and source for his play. What similarities in content and structure do you see between the two works? What significant thematic differences distinguish Wilder's world view from Joyce's?

Research the political and cultural climate of post-World War II Germany. What issues and ideas confronting the German people during this time would account for their positive response to Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth?

Look up psychologist Carl Jung's definition of "archetype." What archetypal images and figures appear in The Skin of Our Teeth? How does recognizing them as such influence viewer interpretation of the play?

Compare and contrast The Skin of Our Teeth with a traditionally naturalistic play such as Hennk Ibsen's A Doll's House (1879) or Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's...