In the Stage Manager's comments on page 87 through the stage directions on page 88, he remarks about the concept of eternity. He says, "Now there are some things we all know, but we don't take'm out and look at'm very often. We all know that something is eternal. And it ain't houses and it ain't names, and it ain't earth, and it ain't even the stars—everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings."
The Stage Manager suggests that there is something eternal that is related to human beings, but it is not tangible things like houses, names, or even the stars. This sentiment is in line with the Bible passage from I Corinthians 15:51-54. In the passage, it is mentioned that humans shall be changed and put on incorruption and immortality. It implies that there is something beyond the earthly realm that is eternal and everlasting, which aligns with the Stage Manager's belief.
The Stage Manager's thoughts and Wilder's ideas thus agree with the Bible passage as they both acknowledge the concept of eternity and the transcendence of human beings. They emphasize the existence of something beyond the physical world, something eternal and everlasting.
Reread the Stage Manager's comments on page 87 from "Now there are some things . . ." through the stage directions on page 88, "He looks at the audience a minute . . ." Note what he says about "eternal." Compare I Cor 15:51-54:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
How do the Stage Manager's (and thus Wilder's) thoughts agree or disagree with the Bible passage?
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