Our Town Mortality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #7

I never felt so alone in my whole life. And George over there, looking so…! I hate him. I wish I were dead. Papa! Papa! (II.340)

Emily hates the feeling of loneliness on her wedding day to the point of wishing for her own death. Coupled with the third act of this play, her words ring as sadly ironic.

Quote #8

Yes, an awful lot of sorrow has sort of quieted down up here. People just wild with grief have brought their relatives up to this hill. We all know how it is…and then time…and sunny days…and rainy days…’n snow…We’re all glad they’re in a beautiful place and we’re coming up here ourselves when our fit’s over. (III.23-4)

Death is a shared experience in Grover’s Corners.

Quote #9

Why, this is my Aunt Julia…I’d forgotten that she’d… of course, of course. (III.47)

Even a death in the family can be momentarily forgotten.