What makes routine events and everyday life situations of a town so unique and well-known drama in Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”?

摘要

Thornton Wilder is known to be a master in American Literature. By receiving UnitedudState’s most prestigious literature reward, Pulitzer Prize, he has become one of the mostudpopular authors. His novels and theatre plays have inspired many others. His simple butudefficient style has had an impact on readers and audiences.udIn order to show a reaction to the 1920’s luxurious “American Dream” concept, he has writtenud“Our Town”; a town which consists simple and ordinary citizens. This simplicity is alsoudreflected by a simple plot. According to this plot, no climax or an action is present. Moreoverudmany people who watch the play initially feel boredom and question themselves why theyudever spend all that money to watch an everyday life sitiuation-even very similar to their ownudlife. Yet, as the play goes on, this initial thought is diverted to an immense admiration for theudplaywright’s talent to bring out the value in the simplest things in life.udHowever, at the end every single audience is affected so deeply that some of them can notudstop their tears. What makes all the crowds go and watch on stage what they do everyday?udThis extended essay is an attempt to find out the features that make Thornton Wilder’sudseemingly simplistic play, “Our Town” this much popular. Besides, the playwright’sudtechnique ,which helps to convey the universal message is to be examined.udThe first section of the extended essay is the Introduction where the play and the playwrightudare introduced in a simple frame. Part B is devoted to the indepth analysis of “Our Town” inudfour sub categories as “Stage Design”, “ The Role Of Stage Manager”, “Analysis ofudCharacters” and “Themes”. The last section will try to answer the research question: ‘Whatudmakes routine events and everyday life situations of a town so unique and well-known dramaudin Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”?’