Our Town

Thornton Wilder’s play, Our Town, is appreciated by its audience as a result of its recognition and popularity. Along with the play’s acknowledgment and praise some people have even recognized it as the greatest American tragedy. However, Stephens’ article, “Our Town -Great American Tragedy?”, has challenged this claim. Also, in this article, Stephens makes arguable claims on the effectiveness and the tragic nature of Wilder’s play. Furthermore, Stephens’ argues that there is a weak emotional connection between the play and the audience and minimal depth in the characters. Still, the depth of the characters and cathartic moment in Our Town capture the tragic nature of the play.

Foremost, the variety of characters and their complexity offer a reflective image for any individual that is part of the audience. The characters in this play range from an elderly woman to a girl in her pre-teen years. Thus, the variety of characters offer the reader a chance to better connect or relate. However, Stephens claims that “Wilder involves his audience with them emotionally as well as intellectually; but it is not a strong, complex involvement” (Stephens 261) He develops this argument by expanding on Emily’s character. Stephens describes Emily as “pathic, not tragic” and “simple and superficial.” On the other hand, this are the characteristics that are idealized by Wilder in order to keep the audience interested in the outcomes of a character that hold similar qualities and a relatable life. And though Emily does not suffer enough in accordance to Stephens’ requirements for her to portray a tragic protagonist. It is questionable how much she really had to suffer but it is clear that in the end of the play it is revealed that she had already b...

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...ke Stephens shares, “ the purgation and ennoblement called for by Aristotle as essential effects of tragedy.” The ending result is meant to be pity and fear as it has been discussed in class and by Stephens. The pity , however, may not necessarily be towards Emily but also all the characters of the play and even ourselves. And the fear component of this cathartic moment comes from the question if we are going to be able to reflect on life and its worth before it is too late.

As a result, Stephens fails to recognize the message in Our Town and is too well wrapped around the idea that the play is not the greatest American tragedy simply because he must challenge this idea. Afterall, any type of literature is left only for the reader to interpret and create meaning out of it if there is any or consider it a tragedy though it may be of a different nature for others.