E-Course English 12 | Thursday, 22 September 2011

Thornton Wilder "Our Town" | Aspects of American history, society and culture

In the play there are numerous references to American history, society and culture.

1) "social injustice and industrial inequality" (p. 25, l. 18)

Find out what examples of social injustice and industrial inequality existed during the time "Our Town" plays in. Find out about social injustice and industrial inequality in the USA of today.

2) What is "the Monroe Doctrine" (p. 28, l. 22)?

3) What is the Lousiana Purchase (p. 28, l. 23)

4) Name the most important facts about "the Lindberg flight" (p. 33, l. 3)

5) What is the significance of the song "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds"(p. 33, l. 11)?

6) What is the significance of the song "Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Languid?"(p. 35, l. 9)?

7) On page 40, line 1, there is a reference to citification. Find out to what extent, when and how the USA became citified.

8) Page 76, line 4: "the American Revolution" --> What happened, when did it happen, why was it important?

9) Find out about "the Mayflower" (p. 76, l. 4)!

10) Page 76, line 8: "Civil War" --> What happened, when did it happen, why was it important?