Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1994. [Vol. 2.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 22)

STUDIES - Mária Kurdi: "You just have to love this world." Arthur Miller's The Last Yankee.

FRICK (rigidly). Nothing to be sorry about, dear. Very nice to have met you folks. He starts to exit KAREN moves to intercept him. KAREN. Oh, John, I hope you're not going to ... (be angry.) (36) When Frick has left, Karen does a few more steps then stops and walks out as well. Seemingly, their retreat is a sign of absolute defeat For the other couple, however, the scene has brought the experience of reassurance and the realization that they have overcome some obstacle already. According to Leroy this feels like a miracle, and Patricia is prepared to go home with him in the hope that "Between the banjo and that car I've certainly got a whole lot to look forward to." (38) Apart from its optimism, Miller's resolution to the play defies the description of sentimentalism, as the Hamiltons' success remains brittle: Patricia is shown still struggling against her self-doubt before leaving the hospital of her own accord. The presence of a motionless depressive in her bed throughout the scene is also a strong image in its constant reference to illness not having disappeared. On the other hand, the Fricks seem to be farther from each other than ever. They are "diametrically opposed" to the Hamiltons, as quoted above, but also complementary to them. There are faint signs that their case may take a more hopeful turn; after all, Frick promises to come again on Friday and in the meantime their decision to have a more sincere talk will probably mature. Remembering Patricia's question, "Who knows what's normal, Mr. Frick?" (35), the man might even reconsider his comfortable answers. As their behaviour and the response it ellicited has helped the other couple continue to remain and even proceed on the positive track, the Fricks may profit from the Hamiltons' example. While depression in the play is a metaphor for the illness of a whole society, its individuals' ability to influence each other is given strong emphasis. Nothing can be changed according to Miller, save people's attitudes. In that field, however, there are infinite resources. One more reason for having a quartet in the play and not merely a couple is to demonstrate that the 73