Our Town Essay

In the short story, Our Town, by Thornton Wilder narrates the lives of the townspeople of Grover’s Corner, specifically two little children. The story begins with the introduction of the lives of two children with very similar families. Later, the two children discover their love towards each other, but only after death do they realize the true importance of life. Wilder, through the use of characterization, successfully conveys the message that people do not fully understand the true importance of understanding to appreciate the present. George Gibb’s conversation with Emily supports Wilder’s message on how people do not understand how wonderful life is. In the second Act, Emily tells George, “I don’t like the change that’s come over you the last year,” and George replies back, “I… I’m glad you said it, Emily.” At that moment, George realizes that the thing that Emily had loved him this whole time, the thing that he wanted the most was Emily’s unconditional love. Simon Stimson’s characterization further supports Wilder’s message. In the last Act, the audience learns that Simon Stimson had committed suicide for some reason that the audience does not understand. After Emily returns from her “flashback” in despair, Simon exclaims, “Now you know! That’s what it was to be alive… that’s the happy existence you wanted to go back to. Ignorance and blindness.” Simon experiences much emotional pain; he realizes how thoughtless he was with the other townspeople and how he never let any get close to him. Simon said that live people will never understand how important life is, how beautiful and precious it is. They are just full of ignorance and will “always be at the mercy of one self-centered passion.” Through the thoughts and actions of Emily Webb, Wilder supports his message that people fail to appreciate life. In the third Act, Emily is dead and wishes to go back even after all the advice that she receives, “I’ll choose a happy day…