THE UNKNOWNS; To Be Or Not To Be... Meant To Be By Elisabeth McGowan

Elisabeth McGowan

Everyone can probably agree that many modern marriages have ended in divorce at some point in time. The typical situation happens in every relationship: conflicts arise, but sometimes those conflicts don’t get resolved. They’re left in the corner to worsen over time. Unintentionally of course, but it is still common. Even if two people don’t get a divorce, they may simply choose to stay together for financial reasons, or just because the whole process of divorce is time consuming. This societal problem has only augmented, and continues to do so. Sometimes it’s inevitable: if two people just aren’t meant to be, then how is it their fault? Then it could also be that the couple won’t try to overcome the little, troublesome things and move on. Either way, there have been countless couples with relationship issues and/or divorces.

 

Now who am I to talk about marriages when I’m not nor ever have been married? What gives me the right to start making claims about couples and the chances they have at staying together? The truth is that I don’t have any right. However, I’m saying all of this because of what I’ve seen through couples I know personally (both married or still dating). I’ve seen married couples arguing over the dumbest things: “Who’s paying the bill?” “Why did you text this person; who are they?” “Why did you like her Facebook picture?” “You need to get a new job.” “You don’t support me at all.” These are only a few of the most common fights among couples, but the real reason why this so-called trend of relationship struggles has become more prevalent is because “we have become more reliant on our partners to meet our needs in self-esteem and self-actualization,” (Slotter).

Now that’s just a bunch of fancy words from Psychology Today, but it means that people want their significant other to make them feel better, or appreciate them more; this expectation of each other can lead to wanting more from each other, leaving them dissatisfied.

 

Kacie Devaney’s play The Unknowns depicts a husband and wife that are completely disgruntled with their marriage; Scarlett claims Jeb ruined her dream to be a dancer because he chased his own to become a writer, so she had to support both of them. However, he has a different opinion. Actually, both of them have many different opinions. Money plays a large role in this marriage as it unfolds to impact their lives as a couple…or is this not their only issue? It could be something much deeper than solely finances.

 

Would you like to find out what is really this couple’s dilemma, as it could also be the actual dilemma within most relationships? Comment below and come to the Riant Theatre to see The Unknowns at the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46^th St, for the Strawberry One-Act Festival. Show dates are July 14 and 17 at 7pm, and July 25 at 9pm.