Toby story
Albert Birch is excited to be reunited with his sweetheart, Edwina after 20 years. Although the reunion is joyful, Edwina has mood swings and refuses to let anyone see her baby nephew, Toby, whom she has brought with her. Eventually it is revealed that Edwina has escaped from a mental asylum, and that Toby is a cat. Directed by: Robert Stevens. Story by: Joseph Bates Smith, Victor Wolfson.
11 total · 5 major · 5 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| coping with a loved one being mentally ill | major | Albert came by the by to understand that all was not well with Edwina. |
| engaged couple | major | Albert and Edwina were engaged. |
| human mental condition | major | Edwina had escaped from a mental institution and was taking care of a cat as if it were her baby boy. |
| loneliness | major | Edwina complained that she had been lonely for 20 years after Albert left her. We are left with the impression that Albert felt extremely lonely when Edwina departed. |
| old flames | major | Albert was excited to be reunited with Edwina after 20 years. |
| caring for a baby | minor | Edwina gave every impression that she was caring for an orphaned baby. She prepared its milk, spoke of scarlet fever and swaddling. |
| coping with being in a heat wave | minor | A perspiring, white undershirt clad Mac McGurk complained of the oppressive summer heat, and longed for the arrival of a rainstorm. |
| descent into madness | minor | Edwina described her gradual descent into madness after Albert had left her 20 years ago. |
| neighbor and neighbor | minor | The MuGurk's paid a neighborly visit to Albert's apartment. |
| obsessive love | minor | Albert said he was "possessed by her" in connection with his old flame, Edwina. |