Our Town by Thorton Wilder is probably the most profound play I will ever see. Back in November, I had the pleasure of seeing it for the first time. I didn’t know a whole lot about it, but I remember good things about it. For my literature course, we are reading it this week. A few of us also managed to make a performance last night. It is just so haunting, and definitely sticks with you. I finished reading the script yesterday at the doctor’s office. As usual, I want to warn you that this post will contain spoilers.
The play is performed in three acts focusing on three different topics: everyday life, love and marriage, and finally, death. The first act is setting the scene for what happens in the second and third acts. It really leaves you with a feeling of, “What is the point of this?” because it is so you exciting. My teacher pointed out that Wilder wanted you to leave with a feeling of simplicity after the first act, and I agree. It is just so simple and the opposite of elaborate.
The second act is more romantic. George Gibbs and Emily Webb, two of the main characters, get married in this act.
The third act is the most haunting. The topic is death, and this is truly the most important part of the play. Emily discovers how short life is, and learns a valuable message.
This play is really worth seeing, or at least reading. It is so simple, but at the same time it isn’t. The message is portrayed in a way that almost everyone could get, even people who don’t have degrees. I recommend this play to everyone mature enough to understand, because this play is definitely deep and touching. It isn’t a typical play where you leave with a good story, but a play where you leave with a life changing realization. This play will change you.
Words, Words, Words! 