On The Fusion Of Three Great Theatrical Systems In Our Town

Thornton Wilder,a notable dramatist and novelist in the American literary history,is the only writer who wins Pulitzer Prizes for both his drama and fiction.Our Town is one of his representative works.Since its publication in 1938,it has been welcomed by the audience and critics.However,most of the studies tend to label this play as a Brechtian play or a play with Chinese features.The realistic elements that Wilder borrows from Stanislavsky system and the elements of Mei Lanfang system are neglected by most of the scholars.Armed with the previous studies,this thesis tries to interpret this play in the framework of three great theatrical systems,to reveal how and why Wilder uses the elements of three great theatrical systems in Our Town.The first,based on the reality,Wilder adopts the method of Stanislavsky system to construct the given circumstances of Our Town.For the purpose of establishing the external circumstances,he represents both the reality in American history and society.In order to reveal the internal circumstances,on the one hand,he fuses the American values and customs in this play;on the other hand,he depicts the human relationships and the characters? inner world exquisitely.The methods of Stanislavsky system are used to suggest that Grover?s Corners,an archetypal American town,is “our” town,and to help the audience recognize the appearance of our everyday life.The second,Wilder utilizes the non-Aristotelian plot structure,non-linear narrative structure and distinctive characters in Our Town to break “the fourth wall” and reveal the nature of life.The employment of Brecht?s “alienation effect” can remind the audience that they should keep a critical eye on the play,the life,and the society.The third,Mei Lanfang?s performance has an impact on Wilder.He applies the simple stage design,imaginary acting,and Chinese philosophical thoughts in Our Town,which aims to help the audience discover the beauty of our routine life in an ideographic artistic conception.The use of Mei Lanfang system can also help the audience who lost their identities in the Depression find relief.In general,the elements of three great theatrical systems complement each other.By analyzing this play in the framework of three great theatrical systems,Wilder?s philosophy and dramaturgy can be fully explored.Wilder unites the elements of three great theatrical systems in a fascinating way,which aims at evoking the audience to recall the beautiful past,to foster a critical attitude toward the present life and to cherish their future life.Meanwhile,this study also give the modern people spiritual enlightenment and inspire them to value their prosaic life and what they have at present.