Write a well-organized essay in which you

• Introduce Wilder's main argument regarding human awareness and the flow of time.
• Develop a claim about how specific dramatic techniques — including the Stage Manager's narration, the lack of realistic scenery, and the repetition of daily routines — effectively convey this theme.
• Support your argument with a close examination of at least two or three key scenes (e.g., the morning routines of Act I, Emily's return in Act III, or the graveyard scene).
• Conclude by reflecting on the broader significance of Wilder's message: What does the play suggest about how we ought to live, and why does it continue to resonate with contemporary audiences?

Guiding Questions to Consider

• How does the Stage Manager's all-knowing, detached voice influence the audience's emotional experience?
• What impact does it have to stage the play with minimal props and no scenery?
• Why does Wilder focus on ordinary moments — breakfast, a walk to school, a wedding — instead of more dramatic events in Acts I and II?
• What does Emily's lament, "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?" reveal about the play's central concern?

Requirements

4–6 paragraphs | Textual evidence required | MLA or Chicago citation format

In your essay, be sure to:

• Craft a clear, defensible thesis that takes a stance on the Stage Manager's thematic role in the play.
• Use at least three specific scenes or moments from the text as evidence (e.g., the daily routines in Act I, the wedding in Act II, the graveyard in Act III).
• Examine how Wilder's minimalist staging (bare stage, pantomime, direct address) supports your argument.
• Address a counterargument: some critics argue the play is excessively sentimental and idealized — engage with this perspective and refute or complicate it.
• Conclude by contemplating what Wilder suggests about mortality, memory, and the human condition.

Length

4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words)

Scoring Focus

Thesis strength, use of textual evidence, depth of analysis, engagement with counterarguments, and clarity of expression.