Short Fiction · Chapter
I Revolutionize Theatre Business explained
The narrator concludes his memoirs, explaining his move to Great Neck, Long Island, with his second wife Emma Geezle.
What happens
The narrator concludes his memoirs, explaining his move to Great Neck, Long Island, with his second wife Emma Geezle. He recounts his innovative solution to the problem of scantily clad performers in musical comedies: requiring audiences to disrobe before entering theaters, which led to a decline in attendance and a compromise restoring clothing for both audiences and performers.
Themes in this chapter
Satire of Media and Business
The narrator's absurd scheme to regulate theater costumes satirizes the business of entertainment and public morality.
Characters to notice
- Emma Geezle
The narrator's second wife, a tall Swiss girl who wanted to escape the bright lights of Broadway.
Key passages
“Take me to some town where we won't be dazzled by the lights.”
Emma asks to be taken to a place without bright lights.
Emma's request leads to their move to Great Neck.
“To make it compulsory for all members of the audience to disrobe utterly before entering the theater.”
The narrator proposes that audiences must undress completely before entering theaters.
His plan to solve the costume issue.