The main objective of the narrator when describing the setting of the play "Our Town" is to emphasize the fact that this town is incredible common. The town has no special feature, and no reason to be more highly regarded than any other town. However, the town is extremely special to its inhabitants.
The tone of the passage is familiar, in order to emphasize how common and mundane the scenario being described is. The word choice is also used in a way that suggests familiarity. Moreover, the word choice contributes to the creation of a vivid image in the mind of the reader by providing specific names and dates. Finally, the meaning of the passage is that the town is not special in any way. This allows the reader to feel represented, as the town can stand in for whatever town the reader loves.
Yes I believe that there are people that are stuck here after passing, and that God gave some people the power to communicate with them.
It is in a subjunctive mood since the underlined word is were. You are likely dealing with a unreal conditional sentence.
