Friendship in Our Town plays second fiddle to family and romance. While this is evident when George and Emily’s friendship blossoms into romance, friendship also serves an important role in illuminating some of the characters’ thoughts. (Being a play, we must hear thoughts being voiced, instead of merely reading them on the page.) For example, we learn only through friendly conversation that Mrs. Gibbs wishes to travel, and that Simon Stimson is an alcoholic.
Questions About Friendship
- If all the friendships in the play were somehow eradicated, to what extent would the play be affected?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Friendship plays a minimal but essential role in Our Town.