In science, the topic of energy constitutes a large area of discussion and experimentation in multiple areas of study. While I don’t remember much from my science classes in high school, I do remember one law, the second law of thermodynamics. The second law of thermodynamics states that “there is a natural tendency of any isolated system to degenerate into a more disordered state.” In simpler terms, the second law of thermodynamics argues that the environment is naturally bound to become more disordered overtime.
Now, you may be wondering why I remembered this law over all other science terms and concepts. To tell you the truth, I found the second law of thermodynamics to be helpful in multiple situations. For instance, when my mom asked me to clean my room, I explained to her that even if I cleaned my room, the second law of thermodynamics would prove itself. My room would eventually become messy and disordered again. So, what was the point of cleaning my room in the first place? My Mom is stubborn and strong. I would still end up cleaning my room.
Why do we try so hard to maintain order when we will eventually fall into a state of disorganization? Is it authoritative figures, like my mom, who implement order? Is it because we are told order is inherently good? In Percival Everett’s poem “Zulus”, Everett challenges this idea of order and shows the power and outcome of the second law of thermodynamics.
Although Everett’s poem “Zulus” seems organized due to its alphabetical appearance, “Zulus” challenges this very order within the poem. Within the first stanza, Everett plays with the structure of alphabetical order. He starts the poem with, “A is for Achitophel. It was he who put absalom up to the big naughty.” While there are words that begin with the letter “a” in this segment, there are not many words that follow that pattern. This throws off the alphabetical order. Further down in the same stanza, Everett states, “So, A is for Solomon for there are better for S, because Solomon was small and a little queer.” Here, Everett is directly testing alphabetic order by stating that the letter “A” stands for Solomon, a man who’s name begins with “S.” This is a direct contradiction of alphabetical order.
It is important to apply the second law of thermodynamics to literature, not only to show that disorder is unavoidable, but to emphasize interdisciplinarity. In Joe Moran’s book Interdisciplinarity, he discusses how people outside of the scientific area of study are beginning to critique scientific laws and theories. Moran writes, “Many of these scientific developments have been taken on board by literary and cultural critics to develop interdisciplinary approaches.” (Moran, 142) Perhaps Everett’s aim was to engage in conversation with other subjects. This critique on alphabetic structure may be his way of supporting the second law of thermodynamics.
Even when a book intends to have a particular form of order, readers are able to spot inconsistencies within the text. This reaffirms the second law of thermodynamics, or the idea that disorder is bound to occur, no matter how often a person, book, or environment tries to remain organized.
So, the next time you go to clean your room, think twice.
Then again, for the sake of your roommate’s or mother’s happiness, clean your room.