0:01 Hey everyone, I am Mr. Malaki, and this is the flip discussion for themes in our town. Now I want to discuss the intertwining of two themes the inevitability of death and the appreciation of everyday life.

Question

0:17 I'm discussing both because I think Wilder uses them to reinforce each other's importance. If you've read the play, which, if you're watching this, you should have read the play.
0:30 Excuse me, you can't miss Wilder's focus on death. It's very obvious by the end of the play, but he also lets us know early on.
0:41 In Act 1, when we meet Dr. And Mrs. Gibbs, the stage manager who, remember, is speaking from some time in the future, tells us about their deaths.
0:53 He says, Doc Gibbs died in 1930. The new hospital is named after him. Mrs. Gibbs died first, long time ago, in fact.
1:04 And he tells us she died of pneumonia. And in my copy, that's all on page seven. So right away, Wilder is reminding us of the inevitability of death.
1:15 And he's reminding us that death is as much a part of life as anything else. Also, in what, to me, was one of the most memorable lines of the first half of the play.
1:28 On the second page of act two, the stage manager tells us, the first act was called daily life. This act is called love and marriage.
1:38 There's another act coming after this. I reckon you can guess what that's about. So see how he says it in a way that implies the third act almost has to be about death as if there could be no other choice.
1:52 Again, reinforcing the theme of the inevitability of death. Now, I think Wilder explores this theme skillfully and creatively, but the theme in itself isn't exactly profound.
2:07 All of us already know that we're going to die. We're all aware of our mortality. But I think he presents this theme to emphasize another theme, and that is the appreciation of everyday life, because one day it will be over.
2:21 So more specifically, this is telling us we must appreciate every moment of our lives because we will all inevitably die, and this is encapsulated in Emily's farewell to the world after she has died.
2:35 So, on page 108 toward the end of the play, she says, oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you.
2:44 So, wilder through Emily is giving us a warning or a harsh reminder to appreciate our existence in this world. In a way, the play doesn't really teach us as much as that reminds us of something we already know, but often forget.
3:02 So Wilder uses death or the inevitability of death to emphasize this other theme. What does the Bible say about these themes?
3:10 And is it similar to or different from the message of the play? So interestingly, the play does have a sort of afterlife.
3:19 People still exist after they die on Earth, but sort of in a different plane of existence. They don't appear to be in heaven, but there is some sort of life after death.
3:35 It's not clear whether Wilder is suggesting an eternal after life or not. The Bible, of course, tells us that we may have eternal life through Christ.
3:48 We have a verse you all know, but I'm going to read it anyways. John 3.16, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life and then again we have John 1126 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
4:12 So we know that now what does the Bible say about appreciating everyday life? I had a little bit of a harder time recalling a verse for that maybe if any of you end up discussing this theme you'll have some verses that relate to the appreciation of everyday life.
4:29 But the one thing that did come to mind for me, Psalm 118, 24, this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
4:40 So for me, that verse is among other things a reminder to bring my attention and my gratitude into the present moment.
4:54 Wilder might be suggesting that this life on earth is more important than the next one. While we as Christians aren't taught that, we, of course, know to store up our treasures in heaven.
5:06 But my perspective might be almost in line with wilders. If he's not saying that heaven doesn't exist, but he's just saying that the closest thing to heaven on earth is found in those little simple moments we spend with our loved ones.
5:21 For me that's hanging out with my brothers, cracking jokes, playing catch with my nephews, just simple little things like that.
5:34 On one of the last episodes of the office, it might actually be the very last episode. And he says, I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.
5:47 So my question is, is there a way? Is our town, Fortin Wilders Way, of making us understand that wherever and whenever we are, we're in the good old days, so we better appreciate them.
6:01 Something to think about. So there's a question for all of you, and I know I've actually presented as many questions as answers in this video, but that's also okay because it's not an essay, it's a discussion.
6:14 So please add your thoughts to it. Choose a theme to discuss in your own video. You can focus on one of the themes I just talked about, or you can choose something else.
6:26 But just be sure to put some real effort into it and be sure to comment on your classmates' videos as well.
6:32 Thanks. I'll see you soon.

One interesting piece in this conversation.

Answer 1

One interesting piece in this conversation is the comparison between Wilder's play and the message of the Bible. The speaker acknowledges that the play presents a sort of afterlife, where people still exist after death but in a different plane of existence. They also mention that it is not clear whether Wilder is suggesting an eternal afterlife or not.

On the other hand, the Bible clearly states that eternal life can be obtained through belief in Jesus Christ. The speaker then goes on to share verses from the Bible that talk about eternal life and the importance of appreciating everyday life.

This comparison adds another layer to the discussion of the themes in "Our Town" and raises questions about the relationship between life, death, and the afterlife. It highlights the different perspectives and beliefs about the nature of life and the importance of appreciating it.

Overall, this comparison allows for a deeper exploration of the themes and invites further reflection on the meaning and purpose of life.