Our Town: Is the “Great American Play” Deserving of its Title?
The “Great American Play,” Our Town by Thornton Wilder, is packed full of references and symbols that relate to the idea of the “American dream.” The ideas represented in Our Town expose both the negative and positive sides of the American dream. Wilder idealizes small town life by writing about the gimmick of “Small Town, USA.” Wilder also uses symbolism to write in between the lines of the play. The idea of the American dream has been defined by society as everything from the freedom to worship a spaghetti monster to a big, brick house in the suburbs; and it has sparked emotions ranging from complete bliss to complete devastation. Our Town is one of the best representations of the American dream.
One of the constant symbols throughout Our Town is the emphasis of routines. Every morning, the Webb and Gibbs families start their morning the same way. Every act in the play starts with one of the Crowell brothers and Howie Newsome appearing as the paperboy and milkman. These consistencies, among others, between the acts symbolize the routine of human life. As the years pass, people are born and die and feel joy and …show more content…
Throughout the play, the characters have high highs and low lows. The idea of the American dream means something different to everyone. The American dream is a routine. It is small towns. It is finding your perfect match and getting married. It is supporting each other through triumphs and tragedies. It is the need to continue moving. It is living in a bliss of ignorance. It is an opportunity to take advantage of it. It is “carpe diem.” The American dream is a fulfilled life and a white picket fence. Thornton Wilder makes the American dream come to life like no other work of literature. Our Town truly is deserving of having the title of the “Great American
The “Great American Play,” Our Town by Thornton Wilder, is packed full of references and symbols that relate to the idea of the “American dream.” The ideas represented in Our Town expose both the negative and positive sides of the American dream. Wilder idealizes small town life by writing about the gimmick of “Small Town, USA.” Wilder also uses symbolism to write in between the lines of the play. The idea of the American dream has been defined by society as everything from the freedom to worship a spaghetti monster to a big, brick house in the suburbs; and it has sparked emotions ranging from complete bliss to complete devastation. Our Town is one of the best representations of the American dream.
One of the constant symbols throughout Our Town is the emphasis of routines. Every morning, the Webb and Gibbs families start their morning the same way. Every act in the play starts with one of the Crowell brothers and Howie Newsome appearing as the paperboy and milkman. These consistencies, among others, between the acts symbolize the routine of human life. As the years pass, people are born and die and feel joy and …show more content…
Throughout the play, the characters have high highs and low lows. The idea of the American dream means something different to everyone. The American dream is a routine. It is small towns. It is finding your perfect match and getting married. It is supporting each other through triumphs and tragedies. It is the need to continue moving. It is living in a bliss of ignorance. It is an opportunity to take advantage of it. It is “carpe diem.” The American dream is a fulfilled life and a white picket fence. Thornton Wilder makes the American dream come to life like no other work of literature. Our Town truly is deserving of having the title of the “Great American