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George Gibbs
Emily is an intelligent, innocent young girl. She helps George with his homework in Act One and is upfront and honest with him about his conceited behavior in Act Two, which confirms for George how much he values her as a friend. Like George, she panics at their wedding, wanting to remain her father’s girl instead of growing up. When she passes away in Act Three, she attempts (as a still-existing soul) to relive her past life. However, she finds it too painful to go back knowing all that she now knows and ultimately returns to the present, letting go of her past life as Mrs. Gibbs encourages her to do. From her journey back in time, Emily gains a newfound appreciation for all the minute, everyday moments of life that living people don’t value highly enough.
Emily Webb Quotes in Our Town
The Our Town quotes below are all either spoken by Emily Webb or refer to Emily Webb. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 2
Quotes
It certainly seems like being away three years you’d get out of touch with things. Maybe letters from Grover’s Corners wouldn’t be so interesting after a while. Grover’s Corners isn’t a very important place when you think of all—New Hampshire; but I think it’s a very nice town.
The day wouldn’t come when I wouldn’t want to know everything that’s happening here. I know that’s true, Emily.
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And, like you say, being gone all that time... in other places and meeting other people... Gosh, if anything like that can happen I don’t want to go away. I guess new people aren’t any better than old ones. I’ll bet they almost never are. Emily... I feel that you’re as good a friend as I’ve got. I don’t need to go and meet the people in other towns.
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And George over there, looking so ...! I hate him. I wish I were dead. Papa! Papa!
Emily! Emily! Now don’t get upset...
But, Papa,—I don’t want to get married....
Sh—sh—Emily. Everything’s all right.
Why can’t I stay for a while just as I am?
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Act 3
Quotes
No!—At least, choose an unimportant day. Choose the least important day in your life. It will be important enough.
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Do human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?
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Emily Webb Quotes in Our Town
The Our Town quotes below are all either spoken by Emily Webb or refer to Emily Webb. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2
Quotes
It certainly seems like being away three years you’d get out of touch with things. Maybe letters from Grover’s Corners wouldn’t be so interesting after a while. Grover’s Corners isn’t a very important place when you think of all—New Hampshire; but I think it’s a very nice town.
The day wouldn’t come when I wouldn’t want to know everything that’s happening here. I know that’s true, Emily.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
And, like you say, being gone all that time... in other places and meeting other people... Gosh, if anything like that can happen I don’t want to go away. I guess new people aren’t any better than old ones. I’ll bet they almost never are. Emily... I feel that you’re as good a friend as I’ve got. I don’t need to go and meet the people in other towns.
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And George over there, looking so ...! I hate him. I wish I were dead. Papa! Papa!
Emily! Emily! Now don’t get upset...
But, Papa,—I don’t want to get married....
Sh—sh—Emily. Everything’s all right.
Why can’t I stay for a while just as I am?
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Act 3
Quotes
No!—At least, choose an unimportant day. Choose the least important day in your life. It will be important enough.
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Do human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?
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