thornton wilder :: essays research papers

thornton wilder a great writer unsubdueds Writing     Either we hot by accident and die by accident, or we live by plan and die by plan. InThornton Wilders The Bridge of San Luis Rey, chum salmon Juniper strives to make thisdetermination. Thornton Wilder whitethorn have also tried to ascertain this himself. As one ofAmericas most respected contemporaneous authors, Thornton Niven Wilder has recieved much celebrity for his works, especially Pulitzer Prize winning The Bridge of San Luis Rey . WhyWilder wrote the novel and why the novel is so famous may be argued through his backgroundand use of specific themes (Books).      Thornton Wilders background contribute to his way of writing as well as his mentality onlife. In his novel In Life as we Live it, Wilder expresses his strong belief in the preciousness oflife Do domain ever realize life while they live it? (Simoni).When someone asked ThorntonWilder about his purpose in writing The Bridge of San Luis Rey, he replied that he was posing aquestion "Is there a direction and meaning in lives beyond the individuals own will?" (Society).     The three principle influences on the writings of Thornton Wilder were his religiousbackground, his love of classicism, and his worldwide travels. Wilders Family and homelifealso affected his writing greatly, especially his father (Books). The time period of his life aslobrought influence on Wilders writing. During this time was World War II in which Wilderserved and recieved ideas. The reason for Wilders wide acceptance and large renown in societymay be answered through the authors Life influences, the time period in which he grew up, andthe style and themes that he uses in his writing.      Thornton Niven Wilder was born in Madison , Wisconsin on April 18, 1897, as one offive children, one of which was his twin, of Amos Parker Wilder and Isabella Wilder.Thorntonsfather was a newspaper e ditor, diplomat, and a strict Calvinist. His father had a great impact onWilders writing. In The Bridge of San Luis Rey, the Wilder said that the idea of the collapse ofthe bridge circuit stemmed from arguments with his strict father. In 1906 the family moved to HongKong, where his father had been appointed American Consul General. After six months hismother returned with the children to the United States, but the family rejoined again in 1911 inShanghai, where his father had been transferred. Wilder stayed in China for a year(Encyclopedia).      Wilders home life was characterized by a strong religious and skilful atmosphere