In this article, Toles explains that through being unborn, George comes to the realization of all the accomplishments of his life’s journey. This highlights the concept known as the butterfly effect, the massive effect that one action can have on every subsequent action. Through this journey, George renews his desire to live. The most interesting point to which Toles calls attention is that the place where one best fits is where one is most needed. Through fulfilling needs of others, we find hidden fulfillment of our own needs. George’s proper place was Bedford Falls because he is most needed to stop the town from becoming Pottersville. In viewing the butterfly effect his life has had on the entire community around him, George comes to the realization that he did indeed fulfill his own needs. Toles puts a great emphasis on a few scenes within the movie, one being the final scene. He notes that we see the revitalization of nearly every character that we had previously seen in Pottersville: Bert, Ernie, Uncle Billy, Mary, Harry, Violet, Mr. Martini, Mr. Gower, and obviously George. In addition, George sees his problems become blessings. His bleeding lip and his crashed car thrill him. He is delighted to see the police officer and the bank examiner in his house. He kisses the broken banister knob. In this final scene, we see the culmination of the community as a family. Toles highlights that in the post-war era, Capra was hoping to celebrate the country as an undivided family. This final scene is Capra’s way by which he depicts this idea.
    This article is noteworthy for its looking at individual scenes. It delves in depth into the scene at Mr. Gower’s drugstore and into the final twenty minutes in Pottersville and George’s reincarnation. In describing these scenes, Toles expresses how Capra was able to convey certain feelings within us. For example, since we are already familiar with the town of Bedford Falls, Pottersville is an eerie apparition of Bedford Falls. We recognize the similar layout of Bailey Park and the cemetery. We see the contrast of George’s house in the two worlds. Toles notes that through film noir techniques, Capra is able to capture Pottersville as a creepy and dark version of Bedford Falls. As Toles describes these individual scenes, it makes it easier for the reader to understand George’s realization.

Toles, George E. "'No Bigger than Zuzu's Petals': Dream-Messages, Epiphanies, and the Undoing of Conventions in It's a Wonderful Life" The North Dakota quarterly [0029-277X] 52.3 (1984). 43-.

Note: Link available on Google books. (pp 51-75)

    This article takes a somewhat negative view at the outcome of George’s life.  It explains that George lives in the clutch of society’s grasp.  Family is the prison of George Bailey.  George has two attempts to escape the family.  Before marriage, he had professed his opposition to marriage.  He desired freedom, women, success, and glory abroad.  He did not want a girl from Bedford Falls getting in his way.  However, he could not escape this family because of his father’s death, Harry’s job offer, falling in love with Mary, and the bank run.  Therefore, he settles into his own family of Mary, 5 children, and the Building and Loan.  He has a second opportunity to escape his family when Uncle Billy loses the $8,000.  He could go to prison and forget his familial obligations or he could commit suicide.  However, George does not do it.  There is the underlying belief that society calls for family with a nuclear father figure.  The dreamlike sequence of Pottersville demonstrates that if a man is not there for his family, society can collapse.  Therefore, George continues to sacrifice his own potential to fill his role for his family and society.
    This article is unique in its interpretation of the end of the movie.  It does not see George as happy with his seemingly wonderful life.  Instead, it still views him as a sacrificing his dreams for the good of his family.  I would have to disagree with this interpretation.  I think that George Bailey recognizes all the good he has done in his life and his value within society.  He had not previously understood all the good he had done.  After his walk through Pottersville he has a higher appreciation for the life that he led and for the communal family he had fostered.  While I may disagree with her, Redman’s negative view is certainly worth noting and significant.

Redman,JHE . "The American happy family that never was: ambivalence in the Hollywood Family Melodrama" European Journal of American Culture [1466-0407] 22.1 (2003). 49-.