G) We hear this hymn in every act of Our Town. How might the circumstances of its being sung affect the listerner's interpretation? The Hynm is appropriate just because it is interpretive, like the Stage Manager, the Hymn is contemplative in its pathos and hope, its dual nature of pessimism and optimism, and its ability to celebrate life as well as comment on a clear path or dogma.
H) What was the future that George had planned? George Gibbs is pragmatic, honorable, and a stereotypical all-American man. In his own mind he has a very logical plan which goes awry when he allows his feelings from Emily to evolve. His inability to deal with Emily's death suggests that George, and others, do not appreciate life while living, and George becomes rather pitiable -- but understandable, in that the future is not constant, and decisions planned are not necessarily decisions made.
I) Would Emily want George to continue his life? Are there lines in the poem that indicate its writer also speaks of continuing with daily life? Emily comments, "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute." She loves George, and despite her death, she is actually the voice of the theme of living....
Culture and technology change, but the essence of human existence does not. This is why readers can appreciate and be moved by texts from historical periods, why music composed hundreds of years ago still has meaning, and why the Hymn can be so appropriate -- almost out of time, for the citizens in "Our Town."
Poem Remember Me -- Emily's longing and love of life, and the appreciation for life, is exemplified in the poem. "do not grieve," it asks, but "remember me when no more day by day." It speaks of appreciating the life we hold, the minute by minute passing of time, and the absolute certainty that what humans need to be actualized is to take each precious moment of life and live it to the fullest -- squander time not, for tomorrow is another day.
