How would the story be affected without the narrator? : Examining the role of the narrator in the play Our Town

How would the story be affected without the narrator? : Examining the role of the narrator in the play Our Town

This presentation will do a deep dive into the role of the narrator in the play Our Town. This narrator plays a vital role throughout the play and contrary to popular belief they truly are the main character of this play and the story would crumble without them being apart of them. The paper will examine the function the Stage Manager plays in shaping audience perception, guiding emotional engagement, and reinforcing Thornton Wilder’s philosophical inquiries. As not only just a character but also a continuous omniscient presence on the stage, the Stage Manager blurs the line between performance and reality, inviting the audience to reflect on their own lives while witnessing the lives of the characters as they unfold. This paper will also explore how the Stage Manager’s tone, often reflective, ironic, and gentle, shapes the emotional pacing of the play and elevates the ordinary moments into something profound. Ultimately, this analysis will argue that the narrator is not just a framing device, but the philosophical center of Our Town, responsible for connecting the audience with the play’s core message: that the beauty of life is found in the everyday moments we so often overlook.