The Tiny Closet Four Levels
Characters in this drama:
- Mr. Newbold as Roomer
- Mrs. Crosby as the Owner of the boarding house
- Elsie as a maid/servant of the boarding house
- Mrs. Hergesheimer best friend of Mrs. Crosby
Drama The Tiny Closet Four Levels are:
Literal Comprehension
“The Tiny Closet” is a short drama composed by William Inge (1913-1973). Mr. Newbold is the best roomer for Mrs. Crosby (landlady).
He is always too neat and clean. When Mr. Newbold is in his room he is in doubt that somebody is disturbing him by monkeying in the door, somebody is inquiring about his private life.
When he was going to the market he said to his landlady not to let anyone enter my room until I returned from the market. Here the actual drama has begun.
The landlady is too curious to know about what is in his room, why he does not permit anyone to enter his room? She takes Elsie up the stairs and calls her friend Mrs. Hergesheimer.
Then they go into his room. There were beautiful hats of women. Seeing that she thought is he a spy, lunatic or criminal? After this, Mrs. Elsie was also too much curious about what they were doing in his room.
Then Mr. Newold returned, and Elsie told him all about what they were doing. Hearing that he tries to hide him instead of frightening them, scare them.
After some time he goes into his room, and seeing his unbalanced room he feels helpless and starts weeping. Then he thinks she has done the crime and makes himself courageous, and angry.
He decides to kill her with the help of a hatpin and goes into the kitchen where she is. In this way, the drama has ended.
Interpretation
In this drama, the writer tries to show the weaknesses, curiosity, and jealous nature of human beings. The writer shows women’s curious nature to know about the private life of others as well as their jealous nature in terms of discussing others’ private lives.
Also, the writer taught too much curiosity about others’ life could be harmful. And he said, we should live formal life or our living style must be common, normal, and natural.
Critical Thinking
The text is fine but after reading I am not satisfied with some statements:
- Is it appropriate for Mrs. Crosby to be too much curious about Mr. Newbold?
- Is it possible for Mr. Newbold to be always too neat and clean?
- How do we claim that Mr. Nebold is a spy and a criminal only by making women’s hats?
- How can we believe that Mr. Newbold will be able to kill Mrs. Crosby with the support of the hatpin?
Assimilation
Before reading the text “The Tiny Closet” I am too curious to know about other private life and get jealous of others.
But, after reading this text I came to know that being too much curious, and jealous about other’s life is worthless. Sometimes it is a dangerous/harmful thing for us.
So I have decided not to be too curious about other’s private lives and not to interfere with other’s lives.
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