"It is only in appearance that time is a river. It is rather a vast landscape and it is the eye of the beholder that moves"

In this quote, Thornton Wilder is recommending that time is not a direct and constant force, as it is frequently viewed to be. Instead, he compares it to a large landscape, implying that it is ever-changing and complex. He also highlights the role of understanding, specifying that it is the observer's perspective that provides the impression of time flowing like a river. This might be analyzed as a commentary on the subjective nature of time and how it is influenced by specific understanding. Wilder's words motivate us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper complexities of time and its relationship with our own perception.