have it all their own

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shootingstar

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George:
I wish a fellow could get married without all that marching up and down.
Mr. Webb:
Every man that's ever lived has felt that way about it, George; but it hasn't been any use. It's the womenfolk who've built up weddings, my boy. For a while now the women have it all their own. A man looks pretty small at a wedding, George. All those good women standing shoulder to shoulder making sure that the knot's tied in a mighty public way.
(Thornton Wilder, Our Town)

Please, what does have it all their own mean in this sentence?

Thank you.
 
I think a word has been omitted. "... have it all their own way" would make sense.
 
Thank you very much indeed.
And what does have it all their own way mean here?
 
Last edited:
George:
I wish a fellow could get married without all that marching up and down.
Mr. Webb:
Every man that's ever lived has felt that way about it, George; but it hasn't been any use. It's the womenfolk who've built up weddings, my boy. For a while now the women have it all their own. A man looks pretty small at a wedding, George. All those good women standing shoulder to shoulder making sure that the knot's tied in a mighty public way.
(Thornton Wilder, Our Town)

Please, what does have it all their own mean in this sentence?
Mr. Webb describes weddings as women’s business and something men will always dread. Given a choice, women choose to have a "mighty public" wedding while the men would prefer to have a less public wedding.
 
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