Skip to Content

Our Town: Allegory Explained

Our Town: Allegory Explained

Our Town by Thornton Wilder is a classic play that explores the everyday lives of the residents of Grover’s Corners, a small fictional town in New Hampshire. The play, first performed in 1938, is known for breaking new ground in the theater world with its simple setting, absence of props, and direct address to the audience. The play is an allegory about the meaning of life, which Thornton Wilder finds in the seemingly mundane and ordinary moments of life.

A small town with a central square, surrounded by simple houses and a church. The sun sets behind the hills, casting a warm glow over the peaceful scene

The play is divided into three acts, each focusing on a different aspect of life in Grover’s Corners. The first act introduces the audience to the town and its residents, including Dr. Gibbs, Mrs. Gibbs, and their neighbor, Mr. Webb. The second act delves into the love story of Emily and George, two young residents of Grover’s Corners. The final act takes place in the town cemetery, where the deceased residents of Grover’s Corners gather to reflect on their lives.

Our Town is a timeless play that continues to captivate audiences with its poignant message about the beauty and fragility of life. The play’s allegorical nature invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and the meaning they find in the everyday moments that make up their existence.

Overview of ‘Our Town’

A small town nestled in a valley, with a quaint main street lined with old-fashioned shops and a steepled church in the distance

Plot Summary

‘Our Town’ is a three-act play written by Thornton Wilder in 1938. The play is set in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, and follows the lives of the town’s residents over a period of twelve years. The play is divided into three acts, each of which represents a different stage of life: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage,” and “Death and Eternity.”

Main Characters

The play’s main characters are George Gibbs and Emily Webb, two young people who fall in love and get married. Other important characters include Dr. Frank Gibbs and his wife Julia, who are George’s parents, and Mr. Webb and his wife Myrtle, who are Emily’s parents. The play also features a narrator called the Stage Manager, who guides the audience through the play and interacts with the characters.

Setting and Time Period

The play is set in the early 20th century, between 1901 and 1913, and takes place in the small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. The town is meant to represent any small town in America, and the play’s themes and characters are universal. The play is known for its minimalist set design and lack of props, which allows the audience to focus on the characters and their relationships.

Overall, ‘Our Town’ is a powerful allegory about the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The play’s simple set design and universal themes have made it a beloved classic of American theater.

Allegorical Elements in “Our Town”

A small town with symbolic elements: a clock without hands, a mirror reflecting the past, and a tree representing the cycle of life

Thornton Wilder’s play “Our Town” is a thought-provoking allegory that explores the meaning of life and death, time and memory, and community and individuality. There are several allegorical elements in the play that make it a timeless masterpiece.

Life and Death

The play’s central theme is life and death. It portrays the transience of human life, emphasizing that life is fleeting and death is inevitable. The play’s characters are ordinary people living their everyday lives, but their experiences are universal. The play shows that life is precious and should be cherished, and that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Time and Memory

Another allegorical element in “Our Town” is time and memory. The play is set in the early 20th century, and it uses time as a metaphor for the passage of life. The play’s characters are constantly reminded of the fleeting nature of time, and they struggle to hold on to their memories. The play suggests that memories are all we have to hold on to, and that they are what give our lives meaning.

Community and Individuality

Finally, “Our Town” explores the tension between community and individuality. The play’s characters are part of a small town community, and their lives are intertwined. The play shows that community is important, but it also emphasizes the importance of individuality. The play suggests that we are all unique individuals, and that we should strive to be true to ourselves.

In conclusion, “Our Town” is a powerful allegory that explores universal themes of life and death, time and memory, and community and individuality. The play’s allegorical elements make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Thornton Wilder’s Perspective

A small town with a central square, surrounded by simple, traditional buildings. A church steeple rises in the distance, and a sense of community and nostalgia permeates the scene

Author’s Background

Thornton Wilder was an American playwright and novelist born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1897. He was the son of a newspaper editor and a writer, and his family moved frequently during his childhood. Wilder was educated at Yale University, where he earned a degree in classics and literature. He later studied at the University of Rome and the University of Chicago.

Influences on Wilder’s Work

Wilder’s work was influenced by a variety of sources, including his travels, his studies of classical literature, and his experiences growing up in a family of writers. He was also influenced by the work of other writers, including James Joyce and Gertrude Stein. Wilder’s writing often explored themes of human connection, the passage of time, and the meaning of life.

Wilder’s most famous work, “Our Town,” is a play that explores the lives of the residents of a small town in New Hampshire. The play is a meditation on the transience of human life and the value of everyday experiences. The play’s use of a narrator and its minimalist staging were groundbreaking at the time of its first performance in 1938. Wilder’s work continues to be celebrated for its profound insights into the human condition.

Literary Devices in “Our Town”

The scene depicts a small town with symbolic elements such as a clock, a bird, and a tree, representing the passage of time and the cycle of life

Stage Manager as a Narrative Device

Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” is a play that uses the Stage Manager as a narrative device. The Stage Manager is a character who interacts with the other characters in the play, but also serves as a narrator, providing information about the setting, characters and events. The Stage Manager also has the power to control time, moving the action back and forth in time as needed. This device allows Wilder to create a sense of timelessness and universality in the play.

Minimalist Set and Props

Another literary device used in “Our Town” is the minimalist set and props. The play is set in a small town in New Hampshire, and the set consists of only a few chairs and tables, with minimal props. This allows the audience to focus on the characters and their interactions, rather than being distracted by elaborate sets and props. The minimalist set also reinforces the idea that the play is a universal story that could take place in any small town.

Breaking the Fourth Wall

Finally, “Our Town” uses the literary device of breaking the fourth wall. Throughout the play, characters address the audience directly, acknowledging that they are in a play. This device creates a sense of intimacy between the audience and the characters, and reinforces the idea that the play is a universal story that could take place in any small town. It also allows the characters to comment on the action of the play and provide additional information to the audience.

Themes and Motifs

The Everyday as Extraordinary

One of the central themes of Our Town is the idea that the everyday moments of life are just as valuable and meaningful as the big events. This is exemplified in the play’s setting of Grover’s Corners, a small town where nothing much seems to happen. However, through the eyes of the characters, the audience sees the beauty and significance of everyday life. This theme is reinforced through the use of simple props and minimalistic sets, which allow the audience to focus on the characters and their interactions rather than the surroundings.

The Cycle of Life

Another important motif in Our Town is the cycle of life. The play is divided into three acts, each of which represents a different stage of life: birth, love and marriage, and death. This structure emphasizes the idea that life is a continuous cycle, with each stage being just as important as the others. The play also explores the idea of death as a natural part of life, rather than something to be feared or avoided.

Human Connection

Finally, Our Town is a celebration of human connection. The play emphasizes the importance of community and the relationships we have with one another. The characters in the play are all connected in some way, whether through family ties, friendships, or shared experiences. This theme is reinforced through the use of the Stage Manager character, who serves as a narrator and guide throughout the play, connecting the audience to the characters and their stories.

Overall, Our Town is a powerful exploration of the beauty and significance of everyday life, the cycle of life, and the importance of human connection. Through its minimalist approach and focus on character and relationships, the play reminds us of the value of the simple moments in life and the connections we make with others.

Critical Reception and Impact

Initial Reception

When “Our Town” was first performed in 1938, it received mixed reviews from the audience. However, the play quickly gained popularity and critical acclaim after a few off-Broadway shows. The New York critics, spearheaded by Brooks Atkinson, built up a favorable response that was matched by public enthusiasm. The play’s unique style and structure were praised for their simplicity and directness, as well as their ability to convey the complexities of human experience.

Our Town in Modern Context

Today, “Our Town” remains a classic of American theater and is often studied in high schools and universities. The play’s themes of community, mortality, and the passage of time continue to resonate with audiences of all ages. In addition, “Our Town” has been adapted for radio, television, and film, cementing its place in popular culture. The play’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message and the enduring power of Thornton Wilder’s writing.

Comparison to Other Works

Similar Allegories in Literature

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town is often compared to other literary works that use allegory to convey a deeper meaning. One such work is George Orwell’s Animal Farm, which uses animals to represent political figures and their actions. Similarly, Wilder uses the small town of Grover’s Corners to represent the human experience and the passing of time. Both works use simple, relatable symbols to convey complex ideas, making them accessible to a wide range of readers.

Another work that shares similarities with Our Town is William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. While the setting and plot are vastly different, both works explore the theme of the inherent nature of humanity. In Our Town, Wilder shows how people’s lives are shaped by the passage of time and the inevitability of death. In Lord of the Flies, Golding examines how people’s actions are influenced by their environment and the absence of societal norms. Both works use allegory to explore fundamental aspects of the human experience.

Influence on Contemporary Plays

Our Town has had a significant influence on contemporary plays, especially those that use minimalistic sets and focus on character development. One such play is Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, which features only a tree and a rock as set pieces. The play explores themes of existentialism and the human condition, much like Our Town. Similarly, Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story is a one-act play that takes place entirely on a park bench. The play explores themes of isolation and the struggle for human connection, much like Wilder’s work.

Overall, Our Town has had a lasting impact on the world of literature and theater. Its use of allegory and minimalistic sets has influenced countless works that explore the human experience and the passing of time.