Hollinger: 1 Spring 2012 discussion

1. How does the temporal structure of Our Town reflect and influence the main ideas of the play?

2. As little happens in the play in terms of dramatic events, the thematic content of the play and Wilder’s attempt to engage his audience actively take center stage. The success of the play depends on its ability to break down the so-called “fourth wall” between the audience and the actors. How does Wilder break down this barrier between the audience and the action onstage?

3. Is Thornton Wilder’s view of small town life positive or negative?

3.I think that Wilder's view of a small town life is positive because it is a peaceful and everybody mostly cared about each other.

2. Wilder breaks down that fourth wall by having a narrator talk to us about whats going on and also make the narrator be in the story. It brings the action on stage and the audience together and makes the audience feel like they are apart of the story.

3. I think that Thorton Wilder wanted the view of the small town to be positive by making all the characters good friends to each and very nice people.

Question 1: He tries to break it down by dramatic events. he shows the life cycle of life, being born marrying, and dying at the end. like the day, start of the day(morning), noon half of the day when its halfway over, and at night when the day ends(when people die)
Question 2:

Question 3:he thinks the small town life is good because everyone knowns everyone, but theres some small talk going around then and there

He breaks down the fourth wall by having the stage manager play characters and also get more involved in the play it really gets to the crowd.

The temporal stucture and the main ideas reflect by telling us what the most important things happen in life such as birth,marriage,and death.This is all part of the great circle of life.