Our Town Marriage

Marriage is a complex thing. It is view many different ways by lots of people. In Our Town by Thornton Wilder, Act II is all about marriage and love. The Stage Manager, Emily Webb, and George Gibbs all have their own views of marriage, which are different in many ways, but all the views have their similarities.

The Stage Manager has the most balanced view of marriage. With his role in the play, he tries not to take sides on many of the issues. In his "sermon" he explains about Mrs. Gibbs view of people living together, two-by-two. He states that Emily and George will now be set out live two-by-two. He also sees this marriage as a good marriage, and even though Emily and George are young, they are ready for their life ahead of them because of their love for each other.

Out of all the characters in the play, Emily and George have the most similar views about the wedding. To them it is all about love. Being loved by one another and keeping that love forever. The only problem is that they both aren't sure if they are ready yet because they don't want to grow up. Emily tells her dad that she can live with him, but her dad comforts both of them right before the ceremony by talking to George and Emily together. This helps George and Emily calm their nerves, but I don't think it completely got rid of their fear of growing up. George made a promise to his mom to come over every Thursday for dinner with Emily, just so he could still have his taste of childhood after the marriage.

Marriage can be seen as growing up or as just moving along in life as always, but all the characters in this play see love as the main focus of marriage. A love that should last forever. George, Emily, and the Stage Manager all have the most prominent view of marriage, and they display it throughout all of Act II.