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Carpe Diem In Thornton Wilder's Our Town

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Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer prize winning play Our Town examines a small town and it’s residents at the beginning of the 20th century and explores what it means to live life to the absolute fullest. Wilder creates an inspiring tale that explains why the concept of Carpe Diem should be important in everyday life. Emily’s marriage, her remorse, and a review of her 12th birthday shows how and why we should “seize the day.” A good example of this is Emily’s marriage.
George and Emily’s wedding is a major part of the play as a result of being the topic of the second act. The bride worries about the changes that marriage brings before the ceremony. When Emily asks her father, “Why can’t I stay for a while just as I am?” (75), she realizes that the
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