Under Milk Wood

As the night comes to an end, First Voice and Second Voice begin to talk over one another. First Voice invites the audience to watch over the town from a nearby hill. The Voice of a Guide-Book describes the reality of the small town and its declining local economy but insists that Llareggub retains a “picturesque sense of the past” (19). Llareggub represents a way of life that is being lost. Dawn begins to break. The people of Llareggub begin to wake up as Captain Cat tolls the “get-out-of-bed bell” (20).

As morning arrives, the townspeople settle into their routines. Reverend Eli Jenkins wakes and throws open his doors, issuing his sermon to the town. He praises life in the small community and talks glowingly of Llareggub. While other towns may be richer or “lovelier,” he claims he could “never, never” bring himself to leave his hometown. The Beynons’ maid, Lily Smalls, looks at herself in her mirror and reflects on her life, refusing to reveal her lover’s name. Mrs. Beynon calls her away to make tea.

Mrs. Pugh is a notorious complainer.