Comparing Dooley And Winnie Holzman's 'Post-Its'

The Passage of Time in Post-its (Notes on a Marriage) Paul Dooley and Winnie Holzman’s “Post-its” is a flash through the life of a married couple that is being told through post-its. The story is short and only goes through just a handful of post-its, yet the characters go through an entire lifetime. From young adulthood to elderly, the story is told chronologically. The reader sees the struggles and the amazing moments in a couple’s life. One of the key symbols in the story is milk. Dooley and Holzman use milk to symbolize the status of their relationship. The authors tie in passage of time with the story which leads to an interesting plot. The story begins when the actor and actress are beginning to date. Holzman writes, “Helped myself to breakfast. You need milk. PS: Next time, wake me” (2). At the beginning of a relationship couples are reluctant to do anything that might upset or anger each other, so naturally when the actor goes to his meeting he leaves the actress asleep. The milk

The first sign that the relationship is getting closer is when the actor leaves the actress an extra set off keys on the hall table (5). This shows that the characters are comfortable to take things to the next level and move in together. Even though a few post-its are read it seems the passage of time goes by fast. The couple is at the stage of their relationship where it seems commitment and the “define the relationship” talk comes about. They are past the point of the relationship where there is no fighting and whatever they do is perfect in each other’s eyes. Holzman writes, “If you want it [milk] so bad, get it yourself, the milk train doesn’t stop here anymore” (27). The actor is working late nights and rarely gets to see the actress and their new born baby. Holzman writes, “Hey, stranger, if you’re not too busy, could you call Eugenia tonight, around bedtime? Just to see if she recognizes your voice?”