our town compatible

8/14/2019 Our Town Compatible

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By Jason ButeraBy Jason Butera



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Point: Due to the traditionalist lifestyle of thetownsfolk, there is a total lack of post-

modernistic views.Evidence: “And let that be a lesson to you, George,never to ask advice on personal matters.” (Wilder60)- Seeking help is seen as weak, especially in thecase of a grown man; a grown man must appear

strong at all times

Scholarly Research: “Mr. Wilder’s declared intentionis to portray the life of a village against a greaterbackground of a time, social history, and religiousideas.” (Kohler 3)- Kohler uses the word ‘against’ to show that thetown of Grover’s Corner stands against society,against the modern views it preaches.

Interpretation: The people of Grover’s Corner liveby long-held customs and stereotypes that shieldtheir eyes to the rest of the world. The townsfolk

are so sure of their own views, and have been for solong, that they cannot see the sense in changing



Point: Because of the lack of socialprogression, the women of Grover’s Corner arebelow men and trapped in the cult of domesticity.

Evidence: “Those ladies cooked three meals a dayone of 'em for twenty years, the other for forty andno summer vacation. They brought up two childrenapiece, washed, cleaned the house, and never anervous breakdown.” (Wilder4 9)- The town is so isolated from ‘modern’ society thatthe only position women can aspire to is mother andhousewife. They do exactly what their traditionalsociety dictates, without complaint.

Scholarly Research: Dayton Kohler states thatWilder “gives purpose and dignity to a man’s world”,

illustrating the fact that Grover’s Corner is a male-dominated society, where the man can do as hepleases, while the woman is given all theresponsibility of running the household.

Interpretation: This sexist tradition has existed inthe town since it was settled, and it is so ingrainedinto the community that nothing can up heave it.



Point: The sheltered citizens of Grover’sCorner look down upon anything that is“different” and not of their society, believingthat the way they live is the only way.

Evidence: “Way back there is the railroad station;tracks go that way. Polish Town’s across the tracks,and some Canuck families.” (Wilder 4)- Wilder places the Polish and Canuck peoples(foreigners) on the ‘other side of the tracks’, givingthem a negative connotation and showing that the

townsfolk would like to altogether ignore othercultures.

Scholarly Research: Robert W. Corrigan commentson the play, stating “Wilder is saying…human beingscannot stand to have a sense of density,” meaningthey strive for simplicity. The people of Grover’s

Corner live very simply, and they wish not tocomplicate things by ‘mucking up’ their systemswith foreign ideas.

Interpretation: Wilder portrays and pokes fun at thetownspeople’s hatred for change, for complexity,

and for foreign ideals. The citizens feel thatGrover’s Corner has lasted for this long, so there is



The good peoples of Grover’s Corner live a simple lifeseemingly apart from the rest of the world, a placeuntouched by modern civilization and modern ideals. Thisis in fact the town’s downfall. Without the spreading of cultures, beliefs, and ideas, how can a society possible

progress? Humans are always striving to betterthemselves, and yet the townsfolk are preventing theirown advancement ; they are doing so with their outdatedpractices like the cult of domesticity, binding woman tothe home, and their nativistic feelings. These people are

stubborn and single-minded, refusing to budge on topicssuch as their negative views of foreigners. Because of theignorance of the town, it seems it shall be forever trappedin its secluded and outdated world, perpetually stoppedon the wheel of time.

our town compatible

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