Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 2001. [Vol. 7.] Eger Journal of American Studies.(Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 27)

Studies - András Tarnóc: Entropy and Ecstasy: The Dynamics of Human Relationship in Bernard Slade's Same Time Next Year

can be found in Doris' dreams of making love with George under water "in caves, grottos, swimming pools," (271) that is always in closed spaces. Doris's view of her pregnant self: "catatonic, incredulous, angry, pragmatic, and finally maternal" (275) displays an increasing energy level during the first three terms, and declining intensity in the second half of the continuum. The amount of energy emitted in a "catatonic" state is zero, one can experience a slight increase in energy output in the "incredulous" state reaching the highest intensity level in the "angry" stage. The term "pragmatic" means reluctant acceptance and "maternal" connotes concession to and acceptance of the pregnancy. George's sexual arousal over the pregnant Doris coincides with the beginning of her labor pains and the birth process and once again this results in a guilt attack The next scene contains a reference to personal or psychological entropy as George mentions the walls he built up to hide his true personality (296). This time it is Doris who complains of the declining intensity of the relationship, which can be considered another symptom of entropy: "George, you ever get the feeling we're drifting apart?"(298). The feeling of guilt awakened in Doris (300) also reinforces the applicability of this concept and George's reference to the "emotional straitjacket" (303) connotes entrapment, or functioning in a closed system as well. The final scene also offers entropic elements. First of all the closed system of Harry and Helen is literally eliminated by Helen's death, but it is continued figuratively. George's life is in disorder, and is unable to function in this semi-closed system, thus he invents the story of Connie and his desire to marry her in order to force Doris to leave Harry and marry him. The energy level and intensity of George come full circle when he emotionally admits that the previous scheme was just a ploy and he is ready to continue the relationship to the end As the law of entropy focuses on the energy level of the components of a closed system, the energy emitted by the drama's characters should be examined. The vigor or power radiated by the given scene can be gauged by the author's description of the activity and mental state of the characters. At the beginning of the play George noticeably operates at a higher energy level. His actions displaying "intense nervous energy, sitting bolt upright in the bed" are frantic. 64