The Significance of Marriage and Friendship in Our Town

Companionship is arguably one of the most important things in the world. Without companionship, it has been scientifically proven that a person becomes depressed, lonely, and in extreme circumstances, insane. Two forms of companionship are marriage and friendship. Most people spend their entire lives seeking new friends, waiting until they find someone special enough to be their spouse. People need companionship and it is considered a natural event in one’s life.

In the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder, the author expresses the importance of human connections, such as marriage and friendship, and even goes as far as interacting the audience with the characters.

Several examples are evident in the play that supports the significance of companionship, specifically marriage. Probably one of the quotes that best corroborates this is when Mrs. Gibbs says to Emily at her and George’s wedding in Act II, “People are meant to go through life two by two. ‘Tain’t natural to be lonesome,” (Wilder 68).

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This quote displays both Mrs.

Gibbs’ and Wilder’s belief in the sacredness of human interaction. Mrs. Gibbs is suggesting that marriage is natural and eliminates loneliness. Even the characters in the play without a companion, such as Simon Stimson, rely on general human interaction and still are not alone. Another example that exemplifies the significance of companionship is when George says to Emily, “I think that once you’ve found a person that you’re very fond of… I mean a person who’s fond of you, too, and likes you enough to be interested in your character… Well, I think that's just as important as college is, and even more so.

That’s what I think,” (Wilder 71-72). George says this to Emily in Mr. Morgan’s drugstore. This is the first time that they demonstrate feelings toward one another. With this statement, George decides love is more important than college, which ultimately leads to his decision to not go to school and marry Emily instead. Again, Wilder is exhibiting to the reader that love is a natural occurrence in one’s life.