Despite the universal themes of Our Town, its setting in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire does anchor it in a very particular slice of America. More specifically, as Our Town takes place in small-town, turn-of-the-century America, it offers us a very particular vision of American life: you take your date to a soda shop, milk is delivered fresh every morning, fathers dispense allowances, and mothers take care of the household. Drinking is limited to town drunks, and sex before marriage is a huge no-no.
Questions About Visions of America
- What is the daily routine for the town? Is everything predictable? What isn’t?
- To what extent does the size of Grover’s Corners impact the story being told?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The town of Grover’s Corners is a character in Our Town whose development mirrors the development of Emily and George.