“I may vomit.”
— Sheridan Whiteside's initial reaction to being told he must spend Christmas in Mesalia, Ohio.
Archivist's Choice
The Man Who Came to Dinner
Moss Hart (1941)
Genre
Historical Fiction
Reading Time
90 min
Key Themes
See below
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The unexpected arrival of a famously curmudgeonly lecturer, confined to a small-town home by a broken hip, unleashes six weeks of uproarious chaos and transforms the lives of his bewildered hosts.
Synopsis
Sheridan Whiteside, a bombastic and self-important New York literary critic, is invited to dinner at the home of the Stanley family in Mesalia, Ohio. As he leaves, he slips on their icy doorstep, breaking his hip. This accident forces Whiteside to stay at the Stanley household for six weeks, turning their lives upside down. He immediately takes over the house, uses their living room as his headquarters, makes constant demands, and receives a stream of eccentric visitors, much to the dismay of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley.
Whiteside interferes in the lives of everyone around him. He learns that his quiet secretary, Maggie Cutler, has fallen in love with local journalist Bert Jefferson and plans to marry him. Fearing he will lose her, Whiteside tries to break them up by inviting actress Lorraine Sheldon to Mesalia, hoping she will attract Bert. At the same time, he encourages the Stanley children, June and Richard, to follow their own rebellious dreams against their father's wishes. When Maggie realizes Whiteside's manipulation, she is heartbroken and threatens to leave him. Guilt-ridden, Whiteside, with the help of his friend Banjo, plans to get rid of Lorraine, eventually tricking her into a sarcophagus. After a chaotic confrontation, the Stanley family finds some peace, and Whiteside, having learned a small lesson about the value of others' happiness, begins to reconcile with Maggie. However, as he makes his grand exit, he again slips on the icy doorstep, ensuring another tumultuous stay.
Reading time
90 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Hilarious, Witty, Chaotic, Lighthearted
✓ Read this if...
You love classic screwball comedies, witty dialogue, and a parade of eccentric characters causing delightful chaos in a small-town setting.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer serious, character-driven dramas or stories without over-the-top, farcical situations.
Plot Summary
A Star Falls (Literally) in Mesalia
The play opens in the home of the Stanley family in Mesalia, Ohio, just before Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, with their children Richard and June, nervously await Sheridan Whiteside, a world-famous lecturer and critic, whom they are hosting for dinner. Whiteside, known for his sharp wit and imposing personality, has just finished a lecture in town. As he leaves the Stanley's house after dinner, he slips on ice on their front steps, injuring his hip. Dr. Bradley, the local physician, diagnoses a broken hip, forcing Whiteside to recover in the Stanley's home for an extended period. This unexpected stay immediately throws the peaceful Stanley household into chaos, as Whiteside's demanding nature and celebrity consume their lives.
The Stanley Household Under Siege
Confined to a wheelchair in the Stanley's living room, Whiteside quickly takes over the household. He uses their telephone for constant long-distance calls, receives a parade of eccentric visitors from around the world, and dictates his every whim to the Stanleys and his devoted secretary, Maggie Cutler. The living room becomes a chaotic center of activity, filled with exotic animals (penguins, an octopus), strange gifts from admirers, and the constant presence of his staff and various hangers-on. The Stanleys find their privacy and routines completely destroyed, with Mr. Stanley growing increasingly agitated by the intrusion and Whiteside's scathing comments about his family.
Maggie's Love and Whiteside's Interference
Amidst the chaos, Maggie Cutler, Whiteside's dedicated secretary, falls in love with Bert Jefferson, a charming local newspaper editor who comes to interview Whiteside. Bert has written a play, and Maggie, impressed by his talent, sees a future with him that does not involve Whiteside. She announces her intention to marry Bert and leave Whiteside's employ. Whiteside, utterly dependent on Maggie and unwilling to lose her, immediately tries to sabotage their relationship. He believes Maggie's place is with him, managing his demanding life, and views Bert as an unworthy distraction from her true calling.
The Arrival of Lorraine Sheldon
To prevent Maggie from marrying Bert, Whiteside devises a plan. He calls upon the glamorous and flirtatious actress Lorraine Sheldon, a former flame of Bert's, to come to Mesalia. Whiteside's intention is for Lorraine to rekindle her romance with Bert, thereby breaking up his engagement to Maggie. Lorraine, always eager for attention and a good time, readily agrees to the scheme. Her arrival adds another layer of disruption to the already troubled Stanley household, as she immediately begins to charm Bert and undermine Maggie's confidence.
The Stanley Children's Revolutions
While Whiteside is busy with his plans, the Stanley children are also experiencing their own awakenings. June Stanley, initially shy, falls in love with Sandy, Whiteside's assistant, who helps him with his memoirs. Richard Stanley, tired of his father's attempts to mold him into a businessman, develops a passion for photography and wants to pursue it professionally, much to Mr. Stanley's disapproval. Whiteside, despite his self-centeredness, often encourages the children's rebellions, seeing them as kindred spirits escaping the dullness of their parents' lives. He even aids Richard in defying his father.
Maggie's Heartbreak and Whiteside's Guilt
Lorraine Sheldon's plan, aided by Whiteside's subtle nudges, begins to work. She captivates Bert, who becomes increasingly flattered by her attention and the prospect of her starring in his play. Maggie, seeing their growing closeness, becomes heartbroken and confronts Whiteside, realizing his involvement in the scheme. For a brief moment, Whiteside shows a flicker of guilt, acknowledging the pain he has caused Maggie. However, his self-interest quickly overrides any remorse, and he continues to push Lorraine and Bert together, convinced he is doing what's best for Maggie's career and his own convenience.
The Arrival of Banjo
Adding to the already overflowing household, Whiteside's close friend, Banjo, a comedian modeled after Harpo Marx, arrives for a visit. Banjo is as eccentric and uninhibited as Whiteside, bringing his own chaotic energy to the Stanley home. He is easily drawn into Whiteside's schemes, though often without fully understanding them. Banjo's presence provides comic relief and further shows the bizarre nature of Whiteside's entourage. He is particularly instrumental in helping Whiteside with his plan to get rid of Lorraine Sheldon later on.
The Egyptian Mummy Plot
As Maggie's departure with Bert seems imminent and Lorraine's presence becomes a nuisance even to Whiteside, he decides a more drastic measure is needed. He and Banjo concoct a scheme to get rid of Lorraine for good. Their plan involves trapping Lorraine inside an antique Egyptian sarcophagus, which was a gift sent to Whiteside, and shipping her off to Nova Scotia. They lure Lorraine into the sarcophagus by pretending it is for a photo shoot, then seal her inside, intending to have her transported far away, thus clearing the path for Maggie and Bert.
Mr. Stanley's Rebellion and Whiteside's Comeuppance
The long-suffering Mr. Stanley, pushed to his breaking point by Whiteside's tyranny and his interference with his children, finally explodes in rage. He confronts Whiteside, declaring that he is throwing him out of his house. In the midst of this heated confrontation, Dr. Bradley arrives with startling news: Whiteside's X-rays were mixed up, and he never actually broke his hip. He merely bruised it, meaning his six weeks of confinement were unnecessary. This revelation deflates Whiteside's authority and provides a moment of triumph for the Stanleys, particularly Mr. Stanley.
Reconciliation and a Second Fall
With the truth about his hip revealed, Whiteside's reign of terror ends. Maggie and Bert reconcile, their love reaffirmed. Lorraine Sheldon is eventually discovered and released from the sarcophagus, furious but ultimately thwarted. Whiteside, humbled by the misdiagnosis and the Stanleys' newfound assertiveness, offers a sincere apology to the family and gives his blessing to Maggie and Bert. As he finally leaves the Stanley home, stepping outside onto the now-familiar icy patch on the doorstep, Whiteside slips and falls again, breaking his hip for real this time. The play ends with the Stanleys resignedly bringing him back inside, implying the cycle of chaos will begin anew.
Principal Figures
Sheridan Whiteside
The Protagonist/Antagonist
From a tyrannical, unrepentant guest, Whiteside experiences a brief moment of humility and apology, only to immediately revert to his old ways with a final, ironic fall.
Maggie Cutler
The Supporting
Maggie asserts her independence and fights for her love, ultimately succeeding in choosing her own path despite Whiteside's interference.
Bert Jefferson
The Supporting
Bert navigates his attraction to Lorraine and his genuine love for Maggie, ultimately choosing Maggie and his own creative path.
Lorraine Sheldon
The Antagonist/Supporting
Lorraine successfully disrupts Maggie and Bert's relationship but is ultimately outmaneuvered and comically dispatched by Whiteside and Banjo.
Mr. Ernest Stanley
The Supporting
From a timid host cowed by Whiteside, Mr. Stanley finds his voice and stands up for his family and his home.
Mrs. Daisy Stanley
The Supporting
Mrs. Stanley endures Whiteside's invasion with quiet resignation, eventually finding relief when he departs.
June Stanley
The Supporting
June transforms from a shy girl into a young woman who asserts her romantic desires and seeks her own happiness.
Richard Stanley
The Supporting
Richard gains the courage to defy his father and pursue his artistic passion, aided by Whiteside's encouragement.
Banjo
The Supporting
Banjo arrives, participates in Whiteside's schemes, and then departs, largely unchanged but having contributed significantly to the comedic chaos.
Dr. Bradley
The Supporting
Dr. Bradley moves from making a crucial misdiagnosis to correcting it, inadvertently freeing the Stanleys from Whiteside's tyranny.
Themes & Insights
The Disruption of Domesticity by Celebrity
The play explores how a celebrity's intrusion, Sheridan Whiteside, shatters the peaceful, orderly domesticity of the Stanley family. Whiteside transforms their quiet home into a chaotic hub of international calls, exotic visitors, and bizarre gifts, completely upending their routines and privacy. This theme is evident in Mr. Stanley's escalating frustration and Mrs. Stanley's overwhelmed demeanor, showing the comedic clash between the mundane and the extraordinary.
“Just because he's an invalid doesn't mean we have to run a continuous vaudeville show for him.”
The Price of Fame and Self-Absorption
Sheridan Whiteside's character shows extreme self-absorption and the isolating nature of fame. While celebrated, his egocentricity makes him utterly dependent on others, especially Maggie, and oblivious to the feelings of those around him. His schemes to keep Maggie, and his constant insults, show how his celebrity has allowed him to operate without consequence, creating a world that revolves around his whims. His brief moment of guilt, however, suggests a hidden cost to his demanding lifestyle.
“I am not a well man, I have broken my hip. It's the least you can do.”
Rebellion and Self-Discovery
Despite Whiteside's tyrannical nature, his presence inadvertently acts as a catalyst for rebellion and self-discovery, particularly for the Stanley children. June finds the courage to pursue her love for Sandy, and Richard defies his father to follow his passion for photography. Even Mr. Stanley, after weeks of suffering, finally stands up for himself. Whiteside, ironically, encourages these acts of independence, as he himself values unconventionality and individual expression over societal norms, showing a hidden, albeit selfish, benevolent streak.
“Don't be a fool, Richard. Go on and do what you want to do.”
The Nature of Love and Loyalty
The play examines different aspects of love and loyalty through Maggie's devotion to Whiteside versus her growing love for Bert. Maggie's loyalty to Whiteside is a habit born of years of service, but her love for Bert offers a chance at personal happiness and independence. Whiteside's manipulative efforts to thwart this love show his selfish definition of loyalty. The resolution of Maggie and Bert's romance emphasizes that true love requires honesty and respect, not manipulation.
“I'm not going to leave you, Bert. Not for anyone.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Misdiagnosed Hip Injury
The central inciting incident and source of Whiteside's prolonged stay.
The initial misdiagnosis of Whiteside's broken hip is the pivotal plot device that sets the entire play in motion. It forces Whiteside into the Stanley home for an extended period, creating the comedic conflict and allowing his personality to wreak havoc. The revelation that he never actually broke his hip serves as a major turning point, diminishing his authority and providing a moment of triumph for the Stanleys, before the ironic twist of his real fall.
The Egyptian Sarcophagus
A physical prop used for Whiteside's outlandish scheme to remove Lorraine Sheldon.
The Egyptian sarcophagus, initially sent as a gift to Whiteside, functions as a tangible symbol of the absurd and exotic elements Whiteside brings into the Stanleys' mundane lives. More importantly, it becomes the literal 'plot device' for Whiteside and Banjo's scheme to get rid of Lorraine Sheldon. Its use for trapping and shipping Lorraine away is a moment of farcical comedy, embodying the play's over-the-top solutions to Whiteside's problems.
Whiteside's Celebrity Entourage
A recurring element that amplifies the chaos and contrasts with the Stanleys' lives.
Whiteside's constant stream of eccentric visitors and staff – from professors and explorers to penguins and an octopus – serves as a continuous plot device to emphasize the disruption of the Stanley household. This entourage underscores Whiteside's global fame and the bizarre world he inhabits, creating a stark comedic contrast with the provincial setting of Mesalia. It also provides opportunities for new characters and subplots to emerge, further escalating the comedic chaos.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“I am not a well man. I am an invalid. I am an invalid who will be carried out of here in a pine box if I don't get some decent food.”
— Whiteside complaining about the hospital food after his accident.
“My dear, I've had more interesting things in my mouth than you.”
— Whiteside's cutting remark to Miss Preen, the nurse, who tries to assert authority.
“You are a charming set of baboons!”
— Whiteside addressing the Stanley family, often with thinly veiled contempt.
“I shall not leave this room until I have my picture taken with a penguin.”
— Whiteside making an outrageous demand, demonstrating his eccentric nature.
“If you're going to be a celebrity, you might as well act like one.”
— Bert Jefferson offering advice to Maggie, reflecting on the nature of fame.
“I happen to have a little item here... a small, but to my mind, rather charming little thing... a genuine first edition of 'A Shropshire Lad,' personally inscribed to me by A. E. Housman.”
— Whiteside flaunting his possessions and connections.
“I'm sure you will be very happy, my dear. You have all the earmarks of a perfectly contented doormat.”
— Whiteside's backhanded compliment to June Stanley about her engagement.
“Don't bother to get up, I'm just leaving. I wouldn't want to interrupt your charming little tea party.”
— Whiteside's dramatic exit after causing a stir.
“I am not Santa Claus. I am a man who has slipped on the ice and broken his hip. I am not jolly. I am in pain.”
— Whiteside correcting a child who mistakes him for Santa.
“You have the mind of a weasel and the soul of a sponge.”
— Whiteside's scathing assessment of Banjo.
“The trouble with you, my dear, is that you are an incurable romantic, and I am an incurable cynic.”
— Whiteside to Maggie, highlighting their contrasting personalities.
“I've decided to adopt you. You're much too good for this town.”
— Whiteside's grand gesture towards June Stanley, offering her escape.
“Merry Christmas, you old reprobate.”
— Banjo's affectionate farewell to Whiteside.
“I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to leave. My house is not a public thoroughfare for your bizarre friends.”
— Mr. Stanley finally asserting himself, though often in vain, against Whiteside's guests.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
'The Man Who Came to Dinner' is a comedic play about the notoriously curmudgeonly New York literary critic, Sheridan Whiteside, who slips on an icy doorstep and breaks his hip while on a lecture tour in Mesalia, Ohio. He is forced to recuperate for six weeks in the home of the Stanley family, completely upending their lives with his demanding nature, eccentric friends, and constant intrusions into their personal affairs, especially the romantic entanglements of his secretary, Maggie Cutler, and the Stanley children.
About the author
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