Literary Devices in The Man Who Came to Dinner ✍️

By George S. Kaufman

Contents

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a delightful comedy written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, first staged in 1939. This play, set in the bustling social world of the 1930s, combines sharp wit with humorous critique. 🎭✨

George S. Kaufman, a prolific playwright known for his brilliant comedic touch, collaborated with Moss Hart to craft a satire that still resonates today. The play explores themes of social status, eccentricity, and the complexities of human nature through a blend of humor and sharp dialogue.

Plot Summary

The Man Who Came to Dinner unfolds with a mix of farce and satire, focusing on the life-altering consequences of an unexpected guest:

Exposition:
Setting: The play is set in the affluent home of the Kirby family, where a high-society dinner party is underway. The host, Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, are preparing for an evening of elegant socializing.
Introduction of Sheridan Whiteside: A famous radio personality and critic, Sheridan Whiteside, arrives as a guest and, due to an accident, becomes confined to the Kirby home.
Rising Action:
Whiteside’s Dominance: As Whiteside recovers, he takes over the Kirby household, demanding attention and control. His presence creates chaos, disrupting the lives of the Kirby family and their staff.
Plot Twists: Various comedic situations arise, including Whiteside’s manipulations and schemes. He orchestrates a series of events to maintain his control over the household and interfere in the lives of others.
Climax:
The Breakthrough: The situation reaches a peak when Whiteside’s schemes start to unravel. His interference reaches a critical point, leading to confrontations with the Kirby family and their guests.
Falling Action:
Resolution of Conflicts: The fallout from Whiteside’s antics is addressed as the characters come to terms with the disruptions he caused. The Kirby family begins to reclaim their home and their lives.
Resolution:
Whiteside’s Departure: The play concludes with Whiteside finally leaving the Kirby household. The characters reflect on the impact of his visit and return to their normal lives, albeit with some lasting changes.

Character Analysis

The Man Who Came to Dinner features a cast of memorable characters, each contributing to the comedic and satirical tone of the play:

Sheridan Whiteside:

Personality: Eccentric, manipulative, and flamboyant.
Motivations: To maintain his prominence and control over his surroundings, even at the expense of others.
Development: Whiteside’s larger-than-life personality drives the plot, and his eventual departure allows the household to regain its equilibrium.

Mrs. Kirby:

Personality: Elegant, composed, and socially concerned.
Motivations: To maintain her social standing and manage the chaos brought by Whiteside’s presence.
Development: Her struggle to cope with Whiteside’s demands highlights her resilience and social priorities.

Mr. Kirby:

Personality: Practical, somewhat overwhelmed, and concerned with business.
Motivations: To manage the disruptions caused by Whiteside and maintain his household’s reputation.
Development: Mr. Kirby’s interactions with Whiteside reveal his patience and adaptability.

Daphne Stillington:

Personality: Romantic, somewhat naive, and caught in a love affair.
Motivations: To pursue her romantic interests despite the chaos in the Kirby home.
Development: Daphne’s subplot adds to the comedy and serves as a foil to Whiteside’s influence.

Character Analysis Summary Table:

Character	Personality	Motivations	Development
Sheridan Whiteside	Eccentric, manipulative	To maintain control and prominence	Drives the plot with his schemes and antics
Mrs. Kirby	Elegant, composed	To uphold social status and manage chaos	Demonstrates resilience and social priorities
Mr. Kirby	Practical, overwhelmed	To handle disruptions and preserve reputation	Shows patience and adaptability
Daphne Stillington	Romantic, naive	To pursue romance amidst chaos	Provides a comedic subplot and contrast to Whiteside

Themes and Symbols

Themes:

Social Status and Influence: The play critiques the obsession with social status and the lengths people go to maintain it, illustrated by the Kirby family’s interactions with Whiteside.
Manipulation and Control: Whiteside’s character represents the power of manipulation and its effects on those around him. His control over the Kirby household serves as a satire of influence and authority.
The Absurdity of Fame: The play highlights the absurdities and quirks associated with celebrity culture through Whiteside’s larger-than-life personality and demands.

Symbols:

The Kirby Household: Represents the societal norms and expectations of the upper class, disrupted by Whiteside’s presence.
Whiteside’s Wheelchair: Symbolizes his physical vulnerability contrasted with his dominant personality and manipulative control.
The Radio Broadcasts: Reflects the theme of influence and the pervasive power of media in shaping public perceptions.

Style and Tone

George S. Kaufman employs a comedic and satirical style in The Man Who Came to Dinner:

Witty Dialogue: The play features sharp and clever dialogue, reflecting the humor and satirical nature of the narrative.
Farce and Satire: Kaufman uses elements of farce and satire to critique societal norms and highlight the absurdities of fame and social status.
Character-driven Humor: The humor largely arises from the interactions between characters and their reactions to Whiteside’s eccentricities.

Key Aspects:

Playful Tone: The tone is light and playful, with an emphasis on comedy and absurdity.
Social Commentary: The humor is often laced with social commentary, offering insights into the nature of power and influence.

Literary Devices used in The Man Who Came to Dinner

1. Satire

Uses humor and exaggeration to critique social norms and behaviors.

2. Farce

Relies on exaggerated situations and physical comedy to create humor.

3. Irony

Highlights contradictions between appearances and reality for comedic effect.

4. Wit

Employs clever and sharp dialogue to add humor and insight.

5. Symbolism

Uses symbols to represent larger themes and ideas within the play.

6. Character Foil

Contrasts characters to highlight differences and enhance comedic elements.

7. Hyperbole

Exaggerates situations or characteristics to create humor and emphasize points.

8. Dramatic Tension

Builds suspense and conflict to drive the plot and enhance comedic impact.

9. Situational Comedy

Creates humor through specific scenarios and character interactions.

10. Slapstick

Uses physical comedy and exaggerated actions to entertain and amuse.

Literary Devices Examples

Satire

Example	Explanation
Whiteside’s extravagant demands and behaviors	Critiques the absurdities of celebrity culture and social status.
The Kirby family’s attempts to maintain their reputation despite chaos	Highlights the lengths people go to uphold societal norms.
Whiteside’s manipulative schemes	Satirizes the influence of power and control over others.

Farce

Example	Explanation
Whiteside’s physical accident and subsequent confinement	Creates exaggerated scenarios for comedic effect.
The chaotic dinner party and its aftermath	Uses exaggerated situations to highlight the absurdity of social interactions.
Whiteside’s interference in the Kirby household’s affairs	Relies on farcical elements to drive the humor and plot.

Irony

Example	Explanation
Whiteside’s critical attitude towards others while being a burden himself	Highlights the irony of his inability to see his own flaws.
The Kirby family’s attempts to please Whiteside, who is ultimately disruptive	Emphasizes the contradiction between their efforts and the outcome.
The contrast between Whiteside’s public persona and his private behavior	Reveals the irony of his influence and behavior.

Wit

Example	Explanation
Sharp exchanges between Whiteside and other characters	Adds humor and reveals character traits through clever dialogue.
Whiteside’s witty remarks about social norms and the Kirby family	Enhances the comedic element through intelligent commentary.
The use of quick, clever retorts in dialogues	Creates humor and highlights character dynamics.

Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The Kirby household as a symbol of societal norms	Represents the social class and its rigidity.
Whiteside’s wheelchair as a symbol of his control	Contrasts his physical limitations with his dominant personality.
The radio broadcasts as symbols of influence	Reflects the power of media and public perception.

Character Foil

Example	Explanation
**Whiteside versus the Kirby family

** | Highlights their contrasting values and reactions to Whiteside’s presence. |
| Whiteside versus other minor characters | Enhances the comedic elements through contrasting personalities. |
| Mrs. Kirby versus Whiteside’s behavior | Demonstrates the differences in social priorities and behavior. |

Hyperbole

Example	Explanation
Whiteside’s over-the-top demands and theatrics	Exaggerates his behavior for comedic effect.
The chaotic impact of Whiteside’s presence on the Kirby household	Amplifies the disruptions to enhance humor.
The extravagant descriptions of Whiteside’s persona	Emphasizes the absurdity of his character.

Dramatic Tension

Example	Explanation
The escalating conflicts between Whiteside and the Kirby family	Creates suspense and drives the plot forward.
The buildup to the climax of Whiteside’s schemes unraveling	Enhances the comedic impact through tension and resolution.
The interactions between Whiteside and other characters under pressure	Highlights the humor and conflict.

Situational Comedy

Example	Explanation
The comedic scenarios arising from Whiteside’s confinement	Creates humor through specific situations and character interactions.
The chaotic dinner party scenes	Uses situational comedy to highlight the absurdity of social situations.
Whiteside’s impact on the Kirby household’s daily life	Provides humorous scenarios through disruptions.

Slapstick

Example	Explanation
Physical mishaps involving Whiteside	Uses exaggerated physical comedy for humor.
The chaotic scenes involving the household staff	Enhances the comedic effect through physical interactions.
Whiteside’s pratfalls and accidents	Adds a layer of physical comedy to the play.

FAQs

Q: What is the central conflict in The Man Who Came to Dinner?

A: The central conflict is the disruption caused by Sheridan Whiteside’s unexpected stay at the Kirby household, which leads to comedic and chaotic situations.

Q: How does Whiteside’s character influence the other characters in the play?

A: Whiteside’s larger-than-life personality and manipulative behavior create chaos and force other characters to react and adapt, driving the comedic elements of the play.

Q: What are the main themes explored in the play?

A: The play explores themes of social status, manipulation, and the absurdities of fame, offering a satirical critique of these aspects.

Q: How does Kaufman’s writing style contribute to the play’s humor?

A: Kaufman’s use of witty dialogue, farce, and satire contributes to the humor by creating exaggerated situations and sharp character interactions.

Q: What role does the setting play in the play’s comedic elements?

A: The setting of the Kirby household serves as a backdrop for the comedic disruptions caused by Whiteside, highlighting the contrast between social expectations and the chaos introduced by his presence.

Quiz

Question	Option A	Option B	Option C	Option D	Answer
What is Sheridan Whiteside’s primary role in the play?	A houseguest	A businessman	A politician	A famous chef	A) A houseguest
How does Whiteside’s stay affect the Kirby family?	It brings them closer together	It causes significant disruptions	It improves their social standing	It helps them financially	B) It causes significant disruptions
What is a key theme of the play?	Romantic love	Social status and manipulation	Adventure and exploration	Mystery and intrigue	B) Social status and manipulation
Which literary device is prominently used in the play?	Satire	Gothic imagery	Science fiction elements	Magic realism	A) Satire
How does the play end?	Whiteside stays with the Kirbys	The Kirbys leave their home	Whiteside leaves and the Kirbys return to normalcy	The Kirbys move to a new house	C) Whiteside leaves and the Kirbys return to normalcy

Exercise

Paragraph from The Man Who Came to Dinner:

“Whiteside’s entrance was nothing short of theatrical. As he rolled into the room, his wheelchair seemed to glide with an air of command. The guests could only watch in stunned silence as he began to regale them with tales of his recent escapades, each story more exaggerated than the last. His booming laughter filled the room, overshadowing any attempt at polite conversation.”

Exercise Instructions:

Identify and analyze the literary devices used in the paragraph above. Look for examples of satire, irony, hyperbole, and any other devices you recognize.

Answers:

Satire:

The exaggerated portrayal of Whiteside’s entrance and stories satirizes the world of celebrity and the impact of fame on social interactions.

Irony:

The contrast between the guests’ stunned silence and Whiteside’s loud, commanding presence creates irony, highlighting his disruptive influence.

Hyperbole:

Whiteside’s tales and laughter are exaggerated to emphasize his larger-than-life personality and the absurdity of his behavior.

Theatricality:

The description of Whiteside’s entrance and demeanor enhances the comedic effect through a theatrical and dramatic portrayal.