Choose one of the following questions and answer using evidence from the text. Post by the end of the day on Tuesday. Don't forget to respond to a classmate's response! Enjoy your weekend.
In Act II, the Stage Manager focuses on love and marriage. Why does he choose to show one particular conversation between Emily and George? What does it reveal about their relationship? What might this suggest about love?
Discuss the portrayal of marriage in Our Town. Compare the marriages between Mr. and Mrs. Webb and Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs. What does Mrs. Webb mean when she says that sending girls into marriage is “cruel”?
In Our Town, there are many different thoughts about marriage. Some of the characters say that a wedding is just an act, Mrs. Soames said she thought it was lovely. Some of the characters think, like Mrs. Webb, that marriage is forced upon people too early in their lives. Overall though, the town thinks that it is normal to get married and that everyone should marry.
ReplyDeleteMr. and Mrs. Webb married fairly young and don't think that age matters much, while Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs think that Emily and George are too young to get married. Both have had ordinary marriages, following the customs. The Gibbses were nervous about their wedding, while the Webbs didn't seem to be. The Webbs think marriage is a very wonderful thing and have thought that since they were married.
When Mrs. Webb says that sending a girl into marriage is cruel, I think she means that when a girl is getting married, they really don't understand the commitment they're making and what a marriage invovles. They also don't truly understand what their new life would be like. All these changes when a girl is young can effect her and possibly upset her. Mrs. Webb thinks that a girl like Emily isn't really ready for a marriage, and to push a big change, more responsibility, and a great commitment onto them is mean and cruel.
I think that the stage manager chooses to reveal this particular conversation because this moment is particularly give and take. I think the stage manager wanted to show that marriage is a compromise, with each side giving up a little, in order to gain another thing. I think it reveals also that in marriage, no agreement is perfect, some are just better than others. Emily and George are a good example of this- George is giving up baseball and Emily is giving up her belief that all men are perfect and should be so, and in exchange will marry each other.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Stage Manager showed the audience this conversation because it is the conversation where George and Emily realized that they are “meant for each other”. Emily tells George what people have been saying about him, and instead of resenting her for telling him he thanks her. This conversation shows that George and Emily are both willing to sacrifice something for the other person. I agree with Jack when he said that the Stage Manager was trying to show that love is about compromise.
ReplyDeleteGeorge asks Emily why she's been mad at him, and she says she's not mad at him, she just doesn't like the change she sees in him. She says his character has changed and that he's stop talking to people and become stuck-up. George appreciates her telling him this and decides to change. I think this shows that they are working to make their friendship work, and they care enough about each other to tell each other the truth. Emily really loves George because instead of giving up on him, she tells him how she feels and is not afraid to give him the cold, hard truth. George also loves Emily because he doesn't take what she says the wrong way, and obviously values what she thinks of him. George cares so much about Emily that he is distracted by their conversation and forgets that he needs money in order to buy her a strawberry ice-cream soda. I agree with Jack about his idea of the importance of compromise and the examples he gave.
ReplyDeleteI think that marriage is about a lot of things but in this conversation a lot of the really important things come out like (as jack, cathleen and caroline said) is about compromise but i also think it's about communication which both are portrayed in this conversation between Emily and George. I think I really notice the communication because that's a big part of marriage. You need to be able to tell your spouse that you don't like something that's been going on and see an acknowledgement and then see a change, which is exactly what happens between Emily and George here. She tells him that she notices a change in his character and she doesn't like it and then he acknowledges that she's right and decides to change it. Which is really what marriage is about. I think that this suggests that for many, love is a change in itself and all have to be ready for it. I think that often you need to change to keep love going smoothly and that love really changes yourself and those around you. So I think that this conversation was a good one to show and I think the Stage Manager choses it because of it's importance in not just the story but in life.
ReplyDeleteI think a big part of marriage in this play is that you have to know how to get over problems that occur, and to be able to reach a compromise on them. Both Emily and George have something that they want to change about the other and they both decide to try to change. This shows that their marriage may actually work out now if they can talk to each other about their thoughts and not get mad at one another.
ReplyDeleteMr. and Mrs. Webb got married when they were young, not quite as young as Emily and George I don't think but they don't have a problem with them marrying each other. Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs on the other hand got married much older and think that Emily and George are way to young to make a commitment this major when they're just teenagers.
I think Mrs.Webb says marriage is cruel for girls because they should have more to their lives than just a husband, back then women were not expected to go to college and they were supposed to work around the house and not get real jobs. If girls marry when they're older, they might get a chance for a better education and can have a better life after they get married. I agree with Jack about the compromise aspect to marriage.
I think that the Stage Manger chose this moment between Emily and George because it shows how compatible they are. They are not afraid to tell each other what the other needs to hear, and like Jack and many others have said, they are willing to make compromises for the sake of their relationship. The very fact that Emily is comfortable telling George what he needs to hear and the way that George accepts it, shows how well they work together as a couple. They care enough about the well fare of each other and their relationship to make fairly large sacrifices. They also balance out the other’s flaws and help to fix them. All in all, this conversation shows how well they work as a couple, and almost holds them up as a model couple.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Stage Manager chose this particular conversation between Emily and George because it is a perfect example of what two people go through and think about before getting married. They are each worried about what will happen in the future, and how they will work it out between them. The fact that there is some sort of conflict between them in the conversation also tests how much they like each other. When Emily tells George that she doesn't like the change that has taken over him, not only does he say will change but he also thanks her for letting him know. This shows that love continues to happen between two people as long as they are each willing to listen and respect the other. Similar to what I said, I agree with Jack on the fact that marriage is really a compromise between two people.
ReplyDeleteIn this book the stage manager specifically points out this conversation between Emily and George to be an example because it's an ice breaker. This is the first time Emily and George seem to be really open about their emotions in Our town and thats a big step because being open with and comfortable to talk to each other is a very big part in a relationship, Especially in marriage. To lead up to the actually wedding you also have to know when they figured this out, The stage manager even says that he's about to show the conversation where they knew they were "Meant for each other" I agree with Tomas also because this conversation can kind of gauge what trouble they will have to go through in the future with their relationship. and the fact that its like a compromise between two people.
ReplyDeleteI think that the stage manager chose this particular conversation between George and Emily because it showed that they were meant for each other. It showed that Emily and George were comfortable talking about themselves and what needs to change. I think that there relationship is going to be a very good one because they are very open about important things and they really love each other. I think that to truly love someone two people must be able to talk to each other about anything that happens between the two people. I agree with to Tomas that a marriage is like a compromise between to people because they are both giving up something for the greater goal.
ReplyDeletei am answering the 1st question. i think that he is trying show us where emily and george frist relized that they were ment for each other. that they have probly always liked each other but just never knew how the other one felt. it says that you must be honest with the one you love or something along those lines.i agree with cathleen because i also think that is when they knew they were ment for each other
ReplyDeleteThe stage manager chooses that particular interaction between Emily and george, to show that they were "meant for eachother". The stage manger even says this:"the conversation they had when they first knew that......... they were meant for one another." George and Emily liked each other from a young age. I think that the Stage Manager is trying to say that love emerges when you are young, and you will like people no matter what. Even though george has changed, and Emily says: "I don't like the whole change that's come over you" she fweels bad saying it because she likes George. George then feels bad that Emilyt thinks he's been selfish. This reinforces the reader's opinion that the two care for eachother. Tjis conversation is put into the text to show the reader Emily and George have liked eachother swince the beggining. The stage manager uses this as a way to tell the audience that love begins when you're young. The Webbs and the Gibbs appear to have happy marriaages. They married very young and are still together. At first they were nervous, but everything turned out fine. They did mention though, that it was a shock to go from living in their parent's home to all alone with their partner.Mrs Webb says that sending girls into marriage is cruel. What she means is, I think, that girls are unprepared for what is to come. Marriage in our town, is portrayed as a very important thing. Not only to the couple, but to the townspeople. One of the characters says that it isn't natural for people to live life alone, I think that the town pressures the young people into getting married. The older inhabitants care more about tradition than happiness. When Mrs Webb says that sending a "girl into marriage is cruel", she might be referring to the fact, that the choice isn't all up to her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Arya. Emily is very young to be getting married. imagine someone our age suddenly having to take care of a household all by her/himself.Sarah also makes a good point. emily hasn't had a chance to visit or travel the world. as long as she's been alive, she hasn;t been alone.
I believe that the stage manager chooses to show this conversation to show that love requires change. George loved Emily enough to change so that they could be together. This conversation reveals that they love each other enough to go out of the way to change for their relationship.
ReplyDeleteThis suggests that love isn't perfect. There is no perfect first meeting. There are always drawbacks to love. However, when people care about each other enough to change those drawbacks that's when there is true love.
I really liked what Jack said about how marriage is a compromise. That is the perfect word that sums up what I was trying to say.
I think that the stage manager only revealed one passage on purpose, because this is the moment that George and Emily reveal their feelings to each other. George comes to the realization that Emily likes him and that they were meant for each other. This conversation shows that love can come out of anything. I agree with Jeremiah about the this conversation is the point where they figure out that they were right for each other.
ReplyDeleteI think the stage manager only revealed one specific passage because it was the moment that George and Emily realized that they were "mean for each other". Like Karthik said, they both showed their feelings for each other and realized that the whole time they had liked the other, the other liked them. Also, when Emily told George how he had changed and that nobody liked it, he didn't become upset with her but instead said that he would change back to how he was before, which shows that he is willing to do almost anything to have her like him again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jack about how marriage is compromise.
I think that Stage Manager chose to show a particular conversation between Emily and George because they are a great example of what love and marriage is really about. Marriage is about communication and compromise. Emily told George when she didn't like how George was acting, and George accepted that. Both Emily and George each gave up something, in order to come to a compromise. I think that it reveals that Emily and George are ment to be together, because they can communicate, and compromise with eachother. This shows that love is something that both people have to work on inorder to have a good marriage.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sofia when she said that "love is a change in itself and all has to be ready for it".
Brenna Nolan
I think the stage manager chose this scene because it showed a good example of Emily and George's love and affection for each other. This was also the moment that George and Emily realized that they were meant for each other as Camille said. They told each other about how they felt, and it turned out they felt the same way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brenna, it also showed that they could communicate, and compromise with each other, and compromising and communicating are needed in order for a marriage to work.
In Act II, the Stage Manager showed us the conversation between Emily and George. He chose to show us that one conversation to make us look deeper in Emily and George’s relationship. It showed us how Emily was able to confront George and be able to tell the truth and not “beat around the bush” It showed that they could be true to each other and trust each other to the fullest extent. When Emily tells George that she didn’t like the way he was acting it made George realized that he liked her more than he thought. Emily then realized that George was more sincere than he protrayed in public. I agree with what Jack said about how marriage is a compromise. That is a great way to look at marriage
ReplyDeleteI think the stage manager chose this scene because it was a great example of Emily and George's relationship with one another. It showed there love for each other and was a big part in both their lives. They told each other about how they felt for one another and at one moment they knew they were meant for each other. When they told each other how they felt, they found out they felt the same way. This is also what the stage manager thinks love and marriage is. George tells Emily that he loves her enough to change for her and she realizes how in love they are when he says that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with jeremiah how this was an ice breaker to there relationship and love.
The Stage Manager reveals this scene to the audience because it shows the two characters finally sharing their true feelings to one another. The whole play has been giving subtle hints about Emily and George liking each other, but in this scene they actually say what they are thinking. For instance, Emily tells him that she, "used to like him a lot. And I used to watch you as you did everything," which is the first time she's ever opened up to him before. George, on the other hand, tells Emily how much he thinks about her and that he will change anything about himself for her.
ReplyDeleteThe scene shows that they are ready to accept that they like each other and be together. Before, they were just friendly neighbors, but now they know that they have become something more than just friends and that this was the start of a real relationship. This suggests that love has to be a combined effort. George and Emily both had to do something to make it work, because nothing was happening when they kept to themselves. Love cannot just be one person's doing, but everyone involved must work to help the relationship.
I agree with Shawn when he says that this scene was a very important part of both Emily and George's life.
ReplyDeleteI think the Stage Manager puts this particular conversation in because it was the first time they ever collectively looked at each other this way. In the text Emily said how she was always watching what he was doing. And George said how he waited to walk home with her but she ended up walking home with a teacher. I think it shows the honesty in their relationship and how open they are with each other. It was meant to show how perfect they were for each other even though they weren’t perfect. It reveals that love isn’t about perfection, its about two people seeing each other for all they are, good and bad together.
ReplyDeleteBoth marriages in Our Town are happy and simple. The Gibbses were married young and it seems they didn’t even know each other (literal or figuratively). The Webbs were also married young but think marriage is a wonderful thing. Both couples are happily married. The reason Mrs. Webb refers to sending a girl into marriage as “cruel” is because she thinks its binding her for life. She seems like she would’ve wanted to live life before getting married and now she has to watch her daughter do it. She thinks it’s too much of a change that they’re too young.
I agree with Evie that love isn’t a one sided street, and that both sides of the relationship have to help if the relationship itself with work.
In Act II, the Stage Manager focuses on love and marriage. Why does he choose to show one particular conversation between Emily and George? What does it reveal about their relationship? What might this suggest about love?
ReplyDeleteThe stage manager showed this scene in the story because it is when George and Emily first admit that they like each other. This part also reveals the dymanics between them.Emily is truthful to George when no one else is. She tells him he's been arrogant and that she liked him more before. George, on the other hand,wants to treat Emily to something nice, and in his effort forgets that he doesn't have any money to buy with. This aspect also shows that love can distract people and make them do things they wouldn't normally.
I agree that there have been hints in the book to show that George and Emily would end up together. I also liked how she said relationships must be give and take.
I think that the stage manager chooses this part between George and Emily because it shows them finally acknowledging that they like each other. I think that is like the first real time that they really talk about each other. They also finally show their true feelings for each other instead of just hiding it. I think that it is important to understand how they started to go out before we see the wedding. I agree with Jeremiah about how they broke the ice with each other.
ReplyDeleteIn act ll the stage manager shows the specific conversation between Emily and George to demonstrate a few different things. The fact that Emily has noticed and change in George suggests that they’ve known each other for a long time and that Emily cares enough about him to tell him. Also, the fact that George takes her criticism and feels bad shows that he cares too. Also, when George asks Emily out for ice cream after, he doesn’t stop to think that he doesn’t have any money, he just thinks about being with her. This passage shows that you don’t have to love everything about someone to be in love with them, and that it is important to tell them if they’re doing something you don’t like, because if they care enough, they will change. I agree with “j-lights” when he says that it shows give and take and that marriage is a compromise because it shows that it’s not just going to be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think that the stage manager tells us this scene becuase like many other people said, it shows their true feelings for each other. The scene shows how they hadn't been open with each other but now feel free to tell each other about their feelings. I feel as if this scene is finally bringing them together. This scene clearly states that love is not always going to be easy and will sometimes make you do or say things that you are not going to want to say. You just have to tell them the cold hard truth even if it gets them a little pissed. As long as you say it for the right reasons and have supporting details I think that you need to be open to make relationships work.
ReplyDelete~Austin Tate
“People are meant to go through life two by two. ‘Taint natural to be lonesome.” This quote summarizes basically what Wilder and the stage manager are trying to get across to the reader. This is how marriage is thought of and should be. In Our Town marriage is always one of the key points. Like when the stage manager says “This is the way we were: in our growing up and in our marrying and in our living and in our dying.” They could have taken out the marriage part. Nowadays not everyone gets married or is expected to, but clearly then it was one of the major steps in life. The fact that they have a whole act dedicated to marriage and love is another example of it being a key factor.
ReplyDeleteBetween the forty years of Mr. and Mrs. Webb’s marriage and the twenty or so of Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs we get two different reasons for marriage, variables and outcomes. For the Gibbs it was most likely an arranged marriage, because Mr. Gibbs says “There I was...marryin’ a total stranger.” They had to deal with not only that, but, as Mr. Gibbs mentions, “material for conversation.” Marrying someone whom you do not even know is a scary thought, but as it turned out they grew to love each other that way. No “barren spells” for them. According to Mr. Webb marriage is a wonderful thing. No one would say that if they did not have a great one for themselves, suggesting that he indeed loves his wife and their marriage. Which is interesting considering the age difference, a variable we are not sure was tied into that of the Gibb’s. Apparently Julia was Emily’s age and Mr. Webb right out of college. Needless to say in comparison of the two, by the way the husband and wife interact and the story that got them where they are now, both are filled with love, endured hardship and value.
Perhaps when Mrs. Webb said that sending girls into marriage is cruel she meant that it is a lot of responsibility. The kids, the husband, the chores (and on continues the list). It can be “cruel” to spring that upon a single person at one time.
When someone uses the word ‘compromise,’ I do not link it to a bond such as marriage, but rather that of two parties that have opposing viewpoints. It makes marriage sound like a constant argument where you both have to settle on something instead of working together to achieve something greater. Say it like a compromise and marriage sounds like both parties are always disappointed and not happy with the turn out. It makes it sound like work, even unenjoyable work. Which in some sense it is, but because most marriages are based on love, it is not the kind of work one would be unwilling to do. It is the kind that you want to turn in for an A+. To everyone who has agreed with marriage being simply a compromise between two people, I say that it is so much more than that. Also, to j-lights, what is not perfect about an agreement to love each other? There are people who have been married to the same person all their lives and through the ups and downs the only thing that has kept them together is love.
I think the Stage Manager shows this conversation because it shows how easy it is for Emily and George to tell each other what needs to be said. It also shows us how they act around each other. They realize that they are meant for each other in this scene. George asks Emily out in this scene because he wants to spend time with her, he doesn't even stop to think if he has money. George and Emily are both ready to enter a new kind of relationship.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Evie that they are ready to be more than just neighbors. They do seem to realize that their relationship is about to start.
It is a turning point in Emily and Georges relationship where they move from being just friends to more than that. Emily was finding fault with George but George quickly improved the faults that she found with him. This suggests that love is a process that happens over much time and not just in a day. After a while in a relationship though the people lose interest in each other. But George and Emily took their relationship to one of the highest points in the time of George walking her home.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Erica because George is buying Emily the ice cream soda's but he forgets that he doesn't have the money for it because he is so much in love with her.
I think the stage manager showed this conversation between George and Emily because it shows the appreciation they have for each other. I agree completely with Cathleen in that they are starting to like each other. Just as Trevor said, this is one of the highest points in their relationship, and that is why I think it was included.
ReplyDeleteI think that the stage manager highlighted this conversation because it represents a typical interaction between people who are going to be married. Also, this act is all about this marriage, so he highlights it. I agree with Trevor, this does represent a change in relationship, but also in maturity, they are becoming adults.
ReplyDeleteThe conversation that the stage manager chooses to focus on is indicative of the romantic relationships between young people. I think he chose this conversation to highlight because it shows George at one of his weakest moments, and it also shows Emily being honest with him. It shows that they are good people and that they know each other well enough to be frank when one of them is acting pompous or rude.
ReplyDelete"I don't like the whole change that's come over you in the last year. I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings, but I've got to- tell the truth and shame the devil."
George and Emily have known each other since childhood and it's obvious that they like each other very much. They are honest people and seem to be very good to each other and the people around them. They love each other and it seems that they are a good match. It is hard to tell however, that they are very well matched for each other. They do not seem to laugh a lot and their relationship seems very serious. People at that age should be having more fun than that. I think love is liking someone and being honest with them. It is also having a good time with a person and being committed to them. What you get from this conversation is that George and Emily are going to another level with their relationship, they are more mature when they speak to each other about hard topics. I agree with Ben, Emily and George are changing into adults and taking their relationship to the next level.
Discuss the portrayal of marriage in Our Town. Compare the marriages between Mr. and Mrs. Webb and Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs. What does Mrs. Webb mean when she says that sending girls into marriage is “cruel”
ReplyDeleteThere is a great significance between Mr. Gibbs and Mrs. Gibbs opinion on marriage than Mr. and Mrs. Webb. Although the two pairs seem to be similarly happy marriages in themselves, they think differently of their children's marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Webb's fell in love while still very young, therefore they are open to and accept young marriage. On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs prefer a more traditional marriage, by having George and Emily get married when they are older. The Gibbses think that the couple is too young to fully commit to each other for life. Mr. Webb thinks that marriage is a wonderful thing. He is happy with his, and he wants his daughter to experience the same feelings.
When Mrs. Webb says that sending a girl into marriage is cruel, I think she means that the girls are adding a large responsibility onto their life that wasn't there before. They have to look after and feed their family, something they have never done before. Mrs. Webb doesn't believe her daughter, Emily, is read for this burden.
The stage manager highlights this scene because it shows the moment when George and Emily have a change in their relationship. I agree with Trevor on how it is a change in relationship, but also a change in maturity. This scene shows that in love, people must change and listen to one another to be happy. George says he will change for Emily, and this shows that he really cares about her. This is a major turning point in their relationship, so the stage manager shows it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the stage manager shows this conversation because it shows the first time that george and emily realize that they are meant for eachother. It shows that george thinks that emily is right when she tells him what she thinks about him and he accepts her oppinion and thanks her for telling him. This conversation shows that they each need to sacrifice something for eachother in order for them to be good for eachother. The main reason the stage manager shows this is because he knows this really starts off a step in their relationship.
ReplyDeleteI agree with jack that they are both compromising something for eachother and the way he put it is very good.
I Think the stage manager showed us this conversation because there are Emily and George thinking of the other ones and thinking about a real relationship between them.
ReplyDeleteI think (like Travor) that this is one big change in their relationship!
The stage manager chooses this because you could take this situation and put it in any time period in history and anyone could understand it. This situation shows that goerge and emily are interested in each other. This shows us that love at that time was that you found you partner in the town you grew up in and then you will raise your children in that same town too.
ReplyDelete-jordan levin
I think that the stage manager chooses this conversation between George and Emily because when they are talking in Act II, Emily tells George how she doesn't like the way he has been acting lately. She feels that he is too into baseball and starting to ignore her. So she tells him that and he understands. At this point in the play, George and Emily realized their love for each other and that they were meant to be. When he offers to buy her a drink, he is now too busy thinking about himself and Emily, he forgets that he even has money to pay.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brenna in this one, saying that this is also what marriage is about; communication and understanding one another.
I think that the stage manager showed this scence because it really showed how Emily and George have always been able to express their feelings for one another and say what they are thinking. I believe that he chose this scene because it was when they realized that they are meant for eachother. I agree with Catheen that the importance of marriage is comprimise, which they where doing in this scene.
ReplyDeleteEmily tells George that she doesn’t understand why he was so different to her and everyone else. He isn’t mad when she tells him he is thankful. I agree with Cathleen that the stage manager was giving an example to the audience that love is about compromise but I also think its about honesty and how if your honest with the ones you love they won’t be upset. They will appreciate that you care enough to tell that somethings not right.
ReplyDeletehe shows the momment where they both new they liked each other.that maybe they were destined to be together.that there is one person in the world that are destined to be together.i agree with Natalie you have to be truthfully
ReplyDeleteIn Act II, the Stage Manager focuses on love and marriage. Why does he choose to show one particular conversation between Emily and George? What does it reveal about their relationship? What might this suggest about love?
ReplyDeleteI think that the stage manager chose that particular scene between Emily and George because that was the moment that they knew that they were in love. I think that this scene shows that they both care about each other a ton. it forshadows them getting married because even though not everything about the other person is perfect they are able to talk about it and overcome it. it also reveals how george is willing to change.
I agree with Hannah that George and Emily have always been able to talk and express there opinions to each other.