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Introduction
Communication is a rather complex process that takes place in two dimensions at once, has several properties, and lasts always, even when the participants in the dialogue are silent. The communication concept outlined by Adler et al. takes many factors into account, categorizing them into different categories, functions, and goals. During communication, people send messages to each other, being near or far. Moreover, in assessing this process, words play a role and emotions, intonations, communication channels, non-verbal signs, and much more. One of the most fundamental aspects of communication is its two dimensions: the content dimension and the relational dimension (Adler et al. 14). Content dimension implies direct communication, often containing speech without hidden meanings. The relational dimension includes the attitude towards the interlocutor and is already much more complex.
Any communication is unique and irreversible. It means that nobody can neither repeat nor turn the communication towards the past tense (Adler et al. 13). Uniqueness is also a distinctive property of interpersonal communication, which, in addition to it, is characterized by the properties of the general dependence of the interlocutors on each other, the desire to show oneself, and intrinsic rewards as a result of communication (Adler et al. 16). The very essence of interpersonal communication implies the dependence of the interlocutors, since the constant reaction to each other (in the case of live communication) or asynchronous responses in the case of online communication, one way or another, correct the future responses of the dialogue participant or their absence. This aspect is reminiscent of early concepts of communication that have been compared to the game of tennis (Adler et al. 10). The desire to show oneself and intrinsic rewards lie already in a plane inaccessible to the interlocutor. These aspects significantly adjust the participant’s behavior in the dialogue, dictating his interests and satisfaction with the results of the dialogue, respectively.
In this work, through the prism of the concept of communication, Darren Aronofsky’s film “The Fountain” will be analyzed. In symbolic form, this artifact of popular culture reveals the different levels and dimensions of communication between the two spouses, considered in different contexts. This film allows for analysis that cannot be done in real life. Some moments in history have different development paths, “rewind,” looking from the outside, and repetition with the ability to change the decision. From the considered concept, we can conclude that to evaluate the act of any communication, it is necessary to look at it from different points of view. From the concept of the film “The Fountain,” it is possible to get this view, a sweep of the levels of communication and a vast field for the analysis of one story.
The Film Story in the Communication Concept
The film tells the story of the spouses, Izzy and Tom. Izzy has a brain tumor, and Tom, an oncologist, is looking for a cure for the disease. At the beginning of the film, a scene occurs in which Izzy invites Tom to walk, and he refuses her, motivating the answer with much work. This episode is significant for analysis since it will be shown more than once in the film. Tom does not have time to save Izzy, although he eventually finds a cure. In parallel, the film shows the plot in two other forms: historical and cosmic. Historical reflects the book’s plot that Izzy writes but does not have time to finish and asks her husband about it. The conquistador is looking for the Tree of Life, the inquisitor is trying to enslave Spain, and the queen is trying to resist him. In cosmic form, the action takes place on the star Xibalba, where another incarnation of the Tree of Life is located, and Tom is there all alone, although he is engaged in a dialogue with the Tree.
Later in the film, Tom feels guilty about denying Izzy a walk. Through dreams, he has the opportunity to replay the situation once again, agreeing to spend time with his wife. As a result of the film’s events, Izzy dies, Tom finds the essential medicine for humanity, Xibalba explodes, giving life to other stars, and the conquistador dies after drinking the juice of the Tree of Life. Tom is finishing the book, which is called “The Fountain.”
Applying the above concept to the relationship between Tom and Izzy, several details located in different dimensions of communication can be seen. Talking about the fact that Tom is busy and cannot go for a walk with Izzy, he non-verbally laid a slightly different message. Perhaps, if he were frank, he would say: “I am trying to find a cure for you, dear, and every minute counts, and I cannot give up everything for the sake of a walk, as I am immersed in the process.” Here the question immediately arises as to why Tom does not speak or lie concerning a loved one. Among the reasons given by Adler et al., only an attempt to save a resource – time (95) is suitable. In addition, it can be called a process of “lying for good,” filled to a certain extent with a share of compassion, which Tom tries to hide also for the good of Izzy. Compassion is harmful at times, making the other person miserable or in need of pity (Lupoli et al. 1026). Consequently, Tom, in the content dimension, laid down a mostly honest answer. In a relational dimension, he showed his love for Izzy, as he was busy for her good, but this upset the girl and left Tom with a feeling of gaping emptiness.
It turns out that each spouse had his or her motive. Izzy, of course, understood that Tom needed to work and that the work was being done for her sake. However, she also understood that there was very little time left, and there was much work, so her at first glance naive invitation to Tom for a walk was a sage act. She wanted to create a unique communication situation because she understood that they are very dependent on each other and that communication itself is already an internal reward for everyone (Guerrero et al. 7). Adler et al. argue that communication does not always solve the interlocutors’ internal problems (17). The sense of guilt generated by Tom’s situation is mistook for Izzy’s inability to let him go, to leave him alone.
However, even if in a dream, if Tom relives this moment again, where now he noticed a non-verbal sign of his wife’s shy smile, he agreed to go for a walk. He realized that Izzy was as much dependent on Tom as he was on her. His refusal was nothing more than a desire to show his professionalism and sacrifice. The content dimension has not changed, while the relational dimension, dictated by the same love and dependence on each other, forced Tom to make a completely different decision. They found an opportunity to communicate. Tom learned from Izzy about Xibalba, although he had traveled there several times in a dream. Communication in relationships plays a decisive role, particularly when communication is understood as absolutely every detail of a person’s behavior (Sillars & Vangelisti 2). As a result, the symbolism of death, giving life, was reflected in the historical and cosmic form of the plot’s narration, which gave Tom an understanding of the wisdom of offering a walk to his wife. As he relived it, he felt the freedom from the fear of death that Izzy had had for a very long time.
Conclusion
This artifact shows the same story from different dimensions of communication. Moreover, the analyzed dialogue reveals all the properties of communication – uniqueness, the dependence of interlocutors on each other, self-disclosure, and internal reward – in a specific situation, which also reveals the feelings, motives, lies, and love of the interlocutors. Other forms of depicting the story help clarify some aspects of Tom and Izzy’s live communication at different stages of time and plot. As a result, Tom understands not only that death and life are closely intertwined. At the end of the book, the Tree of Life becomes the cause of the death of the conquistador, and the death of the star of Xibalba gives life to other stars. In addition, Tom understood one of the most critical foundations of interpersonal communication – dependence on each other. Even when actions are dictated by love, care, or even crucial human problems, the most necessary thing for a human is a human.
References
Adler, R.B., et al. Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication, Oxford University Press, 2018.
Guerrero, Laura K., et al. Close encounters: Communication in relationships. Sage Publications, 2017.
Lupoli, Matthew J., et al. “Lying because we care: Compassion increases prosocial lying.” Journal of Experimental Psychology: General vol. 146, no. 7, 2017, p. 1026.
Sillars, Alan L., and Anita L. Vangelisti. “Communication: Basic Properties and Their Relevance to Relationship Research.” The Cambridge Handbook of Personal Relationships, edited by Anita L. Vangelisti and Daniel Perlman, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2006, pp. 331–352. Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology.
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