“That's What It Was To Be Alive”: A Social Gospel Reading of Our Town

Abstract

Abstract Our Town resonates with the Social Gospel by beckoning the audience to consider the ethical implications of how we decide to use our ever-dwindling time. This undertheorized resonance with the Social Gospel, although subtle, in turn allows for a counter-reading of Tom F. Driver's theological critique that the play fails to offer constructive thoughts regarding social injustice and the problem of evil. This article illuminates more of Wilder's implicit Social Gospel qualities and outlines through key passages the significance of context for Wilder in time and history.