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Summary: One of America's greatest plays
Review: This is not one of my favorite plays but I still believe that it is important to read. In this play, Thornton Wilder makes us think about what life really is. He makes us see that it isn't the material things we have, but that life is more than that; it's love, being content with your life if not satisfied, the fact that people don't appreciate what they have until it's gone, and finally that death isn't the end but only the beginning of something greater.
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Summary: A Different Style of Play
Review: Thornton Wilder's play is different. There is no scenary, the first play of that kind. It takes place in a small Anytown, USA named Grover's Corners. It occurs in the early 1900s and has the act names of Daily Life, Love and Marriage, and Death. Half of our English class enjoyed it, but I feel it would be better to watch than read, like most plays. The only question I have for you as you read is, Is it celebrating simple life, or criticizing it?
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Summary: Like a good childrens story
Review: Our Town is a very unelaborate tale of life, marriage, and death in a small town around the turn of the century. When I first read this years ago, I was surprised how moved I was by such a simply written play, but on reading it a second time, I was bored. It's too straightforward for my taste, and the theme can be summarized quite nicely in a couple words: Carpe diem, or something like that. If you don't feel like you "realize life while [you] live it," then pick up Our Town. If you want to something to think about, maybe you should put it down.
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Summary: A Poignant Drama
Review: When I first learned that I would be required to read "Our Town" as a part of a required reading assignment for English class, I didn't think that I was going to like it. As Wilder begins the play, the reader immediately notices that there is almost no action, suspense, characterization, or setting. The play is all about universality -- Wilder's lack of literary elements is actually a subliminal attempt to communicate the play's theme to everyone who reads it. The first act is a narrative of everyday events in a small New Hampshire town; Wilder titles this act "daily life" because it focuses on the monotony of trivial affairs. The second act is called "love and marriage," which discusses the process in which two people fall in love. The final act is based on "death" and it sums up the first two acts by casting them against the fact that everyone will die someday. The main theme that Wilder tries to convey is that even the most insignificant, unimportant things in life need to be appreciated. The protagonist asks in the final act, "Do human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?" The answer, of course, is 'no.' We all tend to rush through life like it is a giant marathon, and all too often, we trample on other people along the way. Also in the final act, the protagonist wishes that she would have been nicer to people while she had the chance; she wishes that she would've let the other characters know how much she loved and appreciated them. In writing this drama, Wilder wants to tell us that we should all live our lives to the fullest; we should take time every day to give thanks for all that we have; we should always tell our friends and family just how much they mean to us -- we can only do these things while we're living, and none of us know exactly how much longer that will be. Reading this play has really given me a "wake up call" and has allowed me to cherish everyday, ordinary things like the beauty of nature. I felt that the play was, in retrospect, brilliantly written, brief, and poignant. I recommend this play to everyone because it teaches a message that we all need to remember -- take time to savor the simple things, because they often carry the greatest rewards.
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Summary: A Powerful Supplement
Review: Although there isn't that much to "decode" in the play "Our Town," the Cliffs Notes prove to be invaluable when it comes to characterizations and themes. First, I read the play. I thought that I picked up on the major themes and I completely understood what was going on. Then, I read the Cliffs Notes, and I was stunned -- although I am an avid reader and fairly intelligent student, I hadn't picked up on everything -- there was still so much information that I would've missed had I not read the notes. I know that some teachers might complain that reading the Cliffs Notes is tantamount to cheating, but I contend that the notes, when used as a supplement, can increase a student's knowledge of literature by allowing him or her to understand it. So many reading assignments in high school are blown off by students as either incomprehensible or irrelevant, but when a student reads the Cliffs Notes, he or she is more likely to relate to the literature and appreciate it. Some old schoolers may complain that the sanctity of the "classics" is broken when literature is made "user friendly" for today's students, but the fact of the matter is this: without valuable "updates" like Cliffs Notes, literature appreciation may die out altogether in the next generation. Also, the notes always seem to encourage teens to complete their assignments and do better in the classroom. What's not to like? So, my bottom line is that the Cliffs Notes are awesome -- when they're read in addition to (but not in place of) required reading assignments, even our teachers should be thankful.
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Summary: Is it possible to appreciate life every minute?
Review: Of course "Our Town" is THE American classic of the theatre. To know that it is still the most produced American stage play says a lot about its staying power. This copy is the one I often buy to give to friends for weddings or other forward looking events. Even though most people have read "Our Town" in their youth, it is a play that should be reread from time to time to help people keep their eyes focused on what is important in life. This copy is a well bound and attractive edition.
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Summary: A classic!
Review: I love this play because it doesn't need fancy sets and costumes to get its point across to the audience. At first glance, it may seem like a simple play describing life in a small town. However, Wilder weaves in some very complex issues. He covers love, family, and death. The audience becomes intimately involved with the characters. Therefore, it is no surprise that this play has survived!
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Summary: Packs A Wallop
Review: The first two acts of this play sneak up on you. They are endearing, folksy and sweet. Nothing heavy and you're not sure how this play could have become so famous and popular. But boy, the last act hits you with a shot of existential angst stronger than anything else I have ever read. This is one that probably should be read every year for the rest of your life to inspire better living. Read it and see why!
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Summary: A Great Play
Review: Thornton Wilder detailed down to a T life in Small Town, USA. Our Town accurately tells the story of regular people in small town America. The story of Grovers Corners is familiar to many of us and makes Our Town a play which must be seen to be fully understood.
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Summary: Easy reading, well developed, easy flowing, three act play!
Review: I would have to say that Our Town is one of the best plays I have read. I thought it was really good in the beginning and then the pace slowed down a little at the end of the first act and through the second. But now, it's picking the pace back up. If you're looking for a summary of the play, Our Town is about a small town in New Hampshire. The play goes through the lives of the people in Grover's town, this small town. In particular, twon families, the Webb and the Gibbs. George Gibbs, who is the oldest son of the Gibbs family marries Emily Webb, the oldest daughter of the Webb family. The play is composed of three acts and goes through the ups and downs of these two families. Focusing, on Emily and George. I would recommend this to someone who wants an easy reading well developed flowing read. Our Town reads very quickly but yet, goes into detail.
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