Is Thornton Wilder's manipulation of time and use of flashbacks in Our Town effective or ineffective?

Although the play Our Town is an American play, written by an American author, and set in an American town, it has been produced throughout the world. Can the play be successfully "translated" into other languages and cultures?

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Koba

English

29 March, 19:46

Is Thornton Wilder's manipulation of time and use of flashbacks in Our Town effective or ineffective?

Although the play Our Town is an American play, written by an American author, and set in an American town, it has been produced throughout the world. Can the play be successfully "translated" into other languages and cultures?

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Kimora Gentry · Answer 1

Although the play Our Town is an American play, written by an American author, and set in an American town, it has been produced throughout the world. Can the play be successfully "translated" into other languages and cultures?

Holden Hardin · Answer 2

1. Thornton Wilder's manipulation of time and use of flashbacks in Our Town is extremely effective. In this play, the author moves in time in ways that are somewhat unusual in other texts. He uses flashbacks constantly in order to let us know more about the past experiences of the characters. This strategy is effective, as it allows us to get to know the characters, as well as the town, better.

2. Although the play was written by an American and set in America, it can successfully be translated into other languages and cultures. The play addresses the lives of common people in a regular town. It talks about the average person and the struggles and joys that make up his or her life. Many of these experiences are universal, which means that they would most likely be understood by people of other backgrounds.