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

ANDRÁS TARNÓC ENTROPY AND ECSTASY: THE DYNAMICS OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS IN BERNARD SLADE'S SAME TIME NEXT YEAR I. The research objective outlined in the title will be realized through a three-pronged approach. Bernard Slade's 1975 drama, Same Time Next Year will be examined from three vantage points, the applicability of the entropy theory, the analysis of the shared mental images held by the participants in the adulterous affair described in the drama, and the investigation of the role of confession in the play. In connection with the first research component it has to be declared that a forceful application of a law of physics to society or human interaction is by no means a purpose of the present effort. The entropy concept serves as a possible explanation, or a research tool to explain the dynamics of George and Doris' marriage and adulterous affair. The second law of thermodynamics asserts that in a closed system, due to a lack of external stimulation, the previously varied energy levels will equalize, the system slows down and eventually stops and reaches the state of thermal or heat death. This also implies that any physical system left to itself tends to move spontaneously toward disintegration or entropy. Treating George and Doris' marriages and affair as separate physical systems, the present essay is based on the core assumption that human relationships yield to the laws of physics and consequently just as in any physical system, George and Doris are considered to be molecules operating at differing energy levels. As the entropy theory can only be applied in a closed system, the characters' 61