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Introduction
by Dr.
Michael Tobin
In this drama, the wife, Amy
(38) plays the role of "mother" and her husband
Tom (48) the "irresponsible artist." It wasn't always
that way. They met when Amy was a model in a painting course
that Tom taught at the local college. At that time, Amy imagined
Tom to be responsible and sophisticated. Tom imagined Amy
to be carefree and creative. But since marriage and kids (two
boys, 11 and 14), Tom has become "a baby" and Amy
has turned into "a shrew."
The drama unfolds the morning
after Tom's return from a five-day trip to Colorado where
he attended the opening of an exhibit of his paintings at
the University of Colorado in Boulder.
When he returned three hours
late, Amy, already in bed, welcomed him by telling him what
he needed to buy at the grocery in the morning.
Now it's morning. Tom's been
out and is tramping into the house wearing muddy boots when
Amy confronts him.
She's angry because he's been
negligent and irresponsible. She's bitter about "covering"
for him and being the adult.
They are trapped in a marital
game: "Stupid and the Shrew." As long as Tom acts
"stupid," he's not responsible. And as long as she
buys into his incompetence, she'll think and act for both
of them. This is a scenario for constant battles. She wants
him to act like a man-but she acts like his mother. She has
to learn to stop mothering him-to let go. And he has to become
responsible.
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