Communication issues

Communication issues can be seen in the play. The characters try to communicate with each other, but have difficulty getting their thoughts and feelings expressed. In the first act, Russ flees the scene whenever he faces conflict. He went to his bedroom or to the basement. At times, it was helpful because Russ needed to cool down and not be so angry. When he got angry with Jim, he goes up to his bedroom. When he gets angry about the footlocker falling down the stairs, he goes to the basement. He could have stayed and tried to work things out, but he chooses to deal with things with silence. On the other hand, his wife, Bev, tries to break the silence. She invites her neighbors Karl and Betsy over, along with friend Jim. She is not happy that Russ is using foul language toward others and she...