Thornton Wilder's Our Town

In Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Emily Webb who later become Mrs. Gibbs is a confident, strong women. Emily is a very smart girl and in school she is at the top of her class. School is very important during this time because if these kids want any kind of feature than what society think they should be doing, they have to do good in school. Society thinks that women should grow up to be housewife and caretakers to their children and husbands while the men are out working, proving money for the family’s. George is a very important part of Emily’s life, but he did not change who she was as a person. George would always watch and admire Emily doing her homework from outside her bedroom window. He realized how important school was to her. He eventually
ask her to “... give me a hint or two about one of those algebra problems. I don't mean answers, Emily, of course not… just a little hint...” (Wilder 28). Society thinks that men tend to not be as smart as women take school as seriously. When George asked Emily for some help with homework, it proves that women tend to be smarter and care more about school more. George would do anything to get to spend more time with Emily. He didn't necessarily need help in school, but he needed an excuse to talk to Emily and this was his way in. Later in life, George felt pressured by society to get married to Emily after high school or he could play baseball and say goodbye to her. He choose getting married and eventually lives a happy life but it may not always turn out that way from the pressure. It is unfortunate that society can force people into doing they might not want to do.