Our Town by Thornton Wilder

¶ … hymn? Community and spirituality are two of the major themes explored in the Hymn "Blessed Be The Tie." The focus is on that which binds the community together -- their love and understanding of Christ. Because they have this commonality, they are better able to empathize with each other as a family as opposed to just a society. There is also a promise of a better life to come, and the promise of salvation through attention to good works and piety.

B) How do these compare to those developed in the play? In "Out Town," Wilder explores the importance of conviviality and companionship. This is something that happens as humans mature into adults, and the friendships and commonalities are, according to the resident's of Grover's Corner, constantly take time out of their days to establish a connection with each other. These connections -- the ties that bind -- form the gamut of types, but all result in a synergy between people.

C) How is human existence described by the play? Wilder explores the stability of culture and tradition in "Our Town," but as individuals, life is transient -- and all dependent upon chronology -- the ticking of the clock. For instance, the Stage Manager often loses track of time, misjudges it, and is unaware of its passing -- showing that not only individuals, but the timekeeper himself, is victim to the continual passing of the second hand, and is powerless to mitigate it.

D) To what extend does the hymn's depiction of life mirror that of the play? How? The major point of "Blessed be the Tie" is community, but as the verses continue, one sees the passage of time as well -- "and hope to meet again, from sorrow, toil and pain…." The portrait of existence is not one of Eden, but one in which there are woes, burdens, and as the passage of life continues, a constant need for reaffirmation.

E) Several Characters in the play offer their evaluation of life. Which comes closest to echoing that of the hymn? Why? Emily Webb, who becomes Mrs. George Gibbs, is probably the most appropriate character regarding the Hymn's concept. After she dies in childbirth, she joins a group of dead souls who wish to return to the process of living -- her realization, however, just like the Hymn, that life is precious because it is so fleeting, echoes the entire theme of the play.

F) Is the Hymn optimistic or pessimistic in tone? Why? The Hymn, like most poetry, is interpretive from the viewer's perspective. In this case, it is pessimistic in tone in that it portrays the negatives of life and is clearly not Pollyanish. However, it is quite optimistic in tone in that through community and love of Christ, a better life awaits all who believe.

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. She wants George to accept her death, move on, and embrace the gift of live -- the natural condition of humans in "Our Town."