Two Perspectives On Marriage In Our Town

496 Words2 Pages

Act II of the play "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder contrasts two perspectives on marriage. Wilder highlights diverse viewpoints on marriage, ranging from traditional and practical to idealistic and passionate, through the use of several people and their interactions. Emily Webb, George Gibbs, and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Webb and Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, serve as the main characters in Wilder's portrayal of the complexities and subtleties of marriage in a small town.

The Webbs exhibit a more conventional and realistic perspective on marriage. They are realistic, down to earth people who place a high emphasis on marriage's stability, security, and usefulness. The local newspaper's editor, Mr. Webb, counsels George on the duties and difficulties of marriage, stressing the significance of being realistic and tenacious in order to support a family. Mrs. Webb, on the other hand, emphasizes the value of keeping a clean home and focuses on the practical aspects of homemaking. Their marriage-planning strategy is informed by the everyday reality of living in a small town where stability and financial security are highly valued. …show more content…

Although though Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs appear to be happy, there are unsaid tensions and unfulfilled expectations in their marriage. Their encounters serve as a reminder of the concessions and sacrifices involved in marriage. Mr. Gibbs is pleased with his job and routine, while Mrs. Gibbs reveals her silent yearning to travel and see the world. They demonstrate how marriage is not always ideal or faultless and that it requires work and compromise to make it work through their differences and unspoken