Thornton Wilder’s Our Town: Back to the Good Ol’ Days Essay Example

their breasts down to create a flat-chested appearance.

According to reports, the primary goal of a flapper was to appear like a young boy. Even though gangsters and flappers primarily lived in cities, the impact of prohibition could be observed even in the smallest towns. Anyone had the opportunity to participate in bootlegging by producing "bathtub gin" at their own homes. In his account of prohibition, William Meredith (2005) mentioned that "prior to prohibition, most men would drink at saloons. However, after prohibition, they began drinking at home, which exposed their families to the 'evils' of alcohol even more than before" (7).

The original purpose of the Temperance League was to safeguard wives and children from the consequences of alcohol. However, as a result of their actions, not only were they being subjected to these effects, but many were also participating in drinking themselves. This is acknowledged in a song that emerged during prohibition, which is documented in Gitlin’s (2010) book, The Prohibition Era: "Mother’s in the kitchen washing out the jugs, Sister’s in the panty bottling the suds, Father’s in the cellar mixing up the hops,".

And Johnny is on the front porch keeping an eye out for the police. (p. 46) Prior to the Prohibition era, drinking was frowned upon and individuals with alcohol addiction were both pitied and avoided. Due to the predominantly Protestant Conservative population of Grover's Corner, consuming alcohol was viewed as a grave sin. As a result, Simon Stimson, who was the town's church choir leader and well-known alcoholic, became a subject of great controversy. Except for when he led hymns, Stimson preferred to keep to

himself while his neighbors gossiped about his "troubles" in hushed tones. In light of these circumstances, Mr.

Webb (1999), the town’s Publisher and Editor, is asked by the Stage Manager for insight into Grover’s Corner. A lady from the audience inquires about the amount of drinking in the town. Webb responds, "I’d say likker ain’t a regular thing in the home here, except in the medicine chest. Right good for a snake bite, y’know - always was” (p. 294). Interestingly, prohibition made drinking more enticing like a "forbidden fruit," leading more men to partake despite efforts by the Temperance League to eradicate it.

During the 1920s, there was a significant increase in crime rates, with the homicide rate rising by 78 percent nationally. Additionally, the number of federal convicts rose by 560 percent, and police funding increased by over eleven-million dollars. Despite these efforts, the enforcement of the Volstead Act, which aimed to prohibit alcohol consumption, was not successful. In fact, only one out of every 260 arrests resulted in conviction. This clearly demonstrated that the 18th Amendment had failed and was even counterproductive. As a result, it became the first and only amendment to ever be repealed in 1933 (Meredith, 2005). Living through the 1920s was nearly impossible without being affected by these issues.

The ways of the American people underwent changes, whether for better or worse, but few were able to remain unchanged. As people became more materialistic, companies like Ford and General Electric started offering financing options on their products. This paved the way for the realization of the "American dream". Consumers no longer needed to save money

in order to afford cars and appliances; they could acquire them immediately and pay later. However, with a surplus of goods being produced and insufficient income, the stock market was bound to crash. In October of 1929, it indeed crashed, leading our country from a state of progress towards a fight for survival.

According to Bettye Sutton (1999), during the Great Depression, the American dream turned into a nightmare. The country that was once seen as a land of opportunity became a land of despair. People began questioning the core principles that had shaped their lives, such as democracy, capitalism, and individualism (1). In urban areas, manufacturers laid off thousands of workers and replaced them with desperate women and children who were willing to work for lower wages. Food was scarce and many middle-class individuals were forced to live in terrible conditions, standing for hours in lines to receive bread and soup just to survive.

Due to a high number of unemployed and homeless taxpayers, city relief and charity funds were depleted rapidly, resulting in a severe shortage of food and other charitable resources. The Great Plains experienced a devastating drought, leading to massive dust storms across the country and a significant lack of food. In the 1920s, most farmers had borrowed money to buy new machinery, leaving them unable to pay their bills when their crops dried up. Consequently, many families lost everything and were forced to become migrant workers, constantly moving from one place to another in search of work and relying on food donations. Such circumstances deeply impacted the nation.

Small towns in America were relatively unaffected by the

economic downturn, thanks to their self-reliance. While banks had unreliable financing, close-knit communities could arrange loans between individuals. To illustrate, my great-grandparents borrowed $1,500 from a wealthy neighbor to supplement the $1,000 they already had and purchase their first home. Life in small towns continued as usual, with citizens raising their own livestock and growing their own food, resulting in a lack of awareness about the food shortage except for a few commonly bought items. Rations for condiments like sugar and flour were distributed periodically through food vouchers. If a family ran out of these items before receiving another voucher, they had to do without until the next one arrived. The only evidence of the national catastrophe that small towns on the east coast witnessed was occasional dust storms passing by on their way to the Atlantic. However, they were well-informed about the devastation and lived cautious and anxious lives as a result.

During a time when the American economy was stabilizing, political problems from other countries were affecting America. After Adolf Hitler came into power in 1933, German immigrants organized themselves as the German American Bund, with the goal of backing Hitler. According to Mark D. Van Ells (2007), in his article Americans for Hilter, Nazi belief was that all Germans shared a common bloodline and that German descendants worldwide needed to understand their racial responsibilities in supporting Hitler (2).

The group's members donned uniforms reminiscent of Nazis and adhered to the same racial protection principles. Protests by socialists against their gatherings frequently turned violent. According to Ells (2007), "By 1938, opposition to the Bund had intensified to such an extent that

German-American leaders realized they had to completely disassociate themselves from the Bund or risk being labeled as Nazis" (15). Meanwhile, Hitler's tyrannical rule was rapidly expanding overseas as he conquered numerous small countries and waged war against Europe.

The United States initially adopted a policy of non-interference towards the dictatorship. However, this approach began to change to one of caution as the military expanded. By the late 1930s, the American people, who were already guarded, became increasingly paranoid and embroiled in political controversies. In her article commemorating the 75th year of Our Town's production, Sylvaine Gold (2007) noted that in 1938, with Hitler and Stalin in power and the memories of war and depression still fresh, Wilder portrayed a peaceful New Hampshire community from the turn of the century, where the most troubling issue was an alcoholic choirmaster (1).

Our Town aimed to remind Americans living in large cities of a previous era characterized by purity and morality. It served as a reminder of the time before numerous deaths occurred in European trenches, gangsters and corrupt politicians took control of cities, middle-class families faced prolonged desperation, and foreign dictators posed a threat to America's newfound stability. Consequently, those who witnessed Our Town during its initial years found solace within its few hours of tranquility amidst a chaotic world.

Many people during that time experienced a sense of nostalgia when they imagined Grover's Corner as their own hometowns before the world around them became complex. According to Gold (2007), critics on both the left and the right were bewildered by the town's evident lack of interest in addressing political or social issues (4).

Even after 75 years, Grover's Corner continues to be portrayed on stages throughout America because of the large number of individuals who relate to the story.

Being the fourth generation born and raised in my town, where everyone knows each other and works hard to preserve our history and heritage, I found Our Town highly relatable. While watching the play, memories of stories from my grandparents and great-grandparents about the time period in which Our Town was set came flooding back. They always spoke about our town with pride, just like the Stage Manager in the play. Unfortunately, my grandparents have all passed away now, resting in the town cemetery like the founders of Grover's Corner, unable to pass down their stories to future generations.

I appreciate that Thorton Wilder dedicated the time to create Our Town, a play that keeps the history of my ancestors alive and ensures that it will never be forgotten. In his preface from 1938 (2013), Wilder mentioned that he was inspired by his admiration for small towns in the hills and his devotion to the future (3). It is clear that his intention was to preserve this tranquil chapter of history for generations to come.

Both serving as an escape and imparting a valuable lesson, Our Town was significant during its original production in the 1930s. In this period, despair plagued most Americans. Even those fortunate enough to retain their homes amidst the Depression had to part with once cherished luxuries like cars, washing machines, and refrigerators, which they had previously taken for granted.

Regardless of their wealth or social status, the majority of people

share a common concern about the uncertainty of the future. In such times, it becomes even more crucial for Americans to listen to Emily's (1999) monologue, delivered after her demise, wherein she wonders if human beings ever truly appreciate every single moment of life. This timeless lesson, found on page 314, remains relevant in present times and will continue to be as long as humanity endures.