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

marital and extramarital relationships have to be examined in order to establish whether the above metaphor is relevant. Furthermore, the deployment of the entropy metaphor is based on Abádi-Nagy's observations assigning the former a principal function of conveying a sense of crisis, a mental or emotional breakdown characterized by such concepts as depression, isolation, disintegration, solitude, or guilt (41-42). II. In my view George and Helen, and Doris and Harry's marriages can be regarded as closed systems. According to Ludwig von Bertalanffy open systems communicate, experience a metabolism and exchange their components (Cramer). Consequently a closed system is characterized by a lack of or insufficient communication, a decreased metabolism and the inability to exchange the system's components. George's marriage meets the requirements of the closed system. Despite the exchange of words and ideas between George and Helen, the recognition of the other's personality is not present. George's emotional side remains hidden from his spouse. For Helen George appears as a somewhat insecure, yet well-meaning person. He is yearning for romance and Helen's "socially responsible" attitude about sex and intimacy stifles his passionate side. The lack of effective and siftcere communication also plagues Doris and Harry's relationship as Dons' eavesdropping on Harry's conversation with his friends during a wedding anniversary celebration reveals that the best time of her husband's life was not experienced while living with her, but it occurred in the army, a period which included a brief stay in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Consequently, certain aspects of George and Doris' character remain hidden from their spouses, moreover, the latter are surprised when the emotional or romantic side of their partner comes to light. In addition to a lack of effective communication, the marital relationships suffer from a decreased metabolism as both George and Doris' marriage reached a "comfortable" phase during which they appear to be stranded in a "personality rut." George consistently emanates the father and husband image, while Doris principally appears to Harry as 62