The play Our Town by Thorton Wilder was first produced in 1938. Since then, it has been a staple of theatrical expression, delighting and compelling audiences for many, many years. Part of its charm is its ensemble cast, its simple stage design, its cinematic plot construction, and its central metaphor.
Some of the themes you should notice as we read include:
As you read the play, please consider how the structure of the play and its characters comment on human life. How does the playwright present to us a collage of human experience? How does the play manipulate and use time?
HOMEWORK: Please complete your reading of Our Town. After reading, please review the play. Use the link to the author to comment on the writing of the play as well. Look here for help in writing your review. Your written review is due Dec. 1.
Some of the themes you should notice as we read include:
- Life: generations, community, family, etc.
- Death: well...death...mortality, change in fortune, etc.
- Love: marriage, companionship, etc.
- Time and the artificiality of theater.
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
As You Like It Act 2, scene 7, 139–143And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
As you read the play, please consider how the structure of the play and its characters comment on human life. How does the playwright present to us a collage of human experience? How does the play manipulate and use time?
HOMEWORK: Please complete your reading of Our Town. After reading, please review the play. Use the link to the author to comment on the writing of the play as well. Look here for help in writing your review. Your written review is due Dec. 1.
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