The reader may be puzzled at Act I. In Our Town, each act must be interpreted in terms of the entire play. First, Wilder concerns himself with birth in the first act, marriage in the second act, and death in the final act. Thus, Act I opens with dawn, the birth of the day, as well as the birth of twins. In addition to human birth, Wilder reveals the beginning of a friendship which will develop into marriage. In the guise of the Stage Manager, the playwright becomes a kind of midwife: He delivers each of the main characters as literary creations and symbolic mirrors of the typical boy/girl relationship.
Furthermore, in terms of the whole play, Wilder presents a plea for the viewer to enjoy life to its fullest. In the last act, he notes that most people live their lives without appreciating the small, insignificant moments. These small things later become important when death takes them away. To present this theme, Wilder painstakingly introduces the audience to the seemingly mundane aspects of life. Therefore, the first act presents short scenes from life as entertainment and, more important, as lessons. These short scenes become especially important to the play as a whole. A review recalls what each scene contributes to the total effect:.
The first scene presents a paper boy and a milkman. One delivers nourishment for the mind and the other delivers food for the body.
Then, two families, like families everywhere, involve themselves in getting children ready for school. The third scene shows two mothers conversing. Their friendship represents the kind of support system that flourishes in a small-town environment.
The fourth scene reveals a boy and a girl returning from school. Their walk together suggests the "two-by-two" arrangement which evolves into love and marriage in Act II.
The fifth scene depicts a bright student helping a slower student. In this stereotyped vignette, the brighter student is the girl, who helps an athletic, baseball-minded boy. The sixth scene shows a father promising to raise his son's allowance but suggesting subtly that the boy help his mother more.
