So, I thoroughly enjoyed Overtones, even though initially I expected it to be slightly droll, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. I quickly determined that there is clearly more to the play than meets the eye. It is obviously more than just some weird story about two snobby women and their "alter-egos". And there in lies the question: What's the deal with these alter egos?
So, pertaining to Dr. Fletcher's question, what are the logistics/rules of Hetty and Maggies' world, how are they communicating? Are they actually communicating to one another? Can they see each other, etc.......
Well, In short, I believe they can see each other and are indeed communicating with one another, if only just in brief instances. My personal analysis would indicate that although the audience is left to fend for themselves to determine how Hetty and Mattie interact with one another there is still has to be a reason for their ability to converse with each other even though one could argue that they don't technically exist. I think perhaps Gerstenberg's intention was to portray the two characters in stark contrast to their "trained selves", in order to define for the audience, a sense of the familiar existing in an alternate reality. Now, albeit this alternate reality an unrealistic concept(especially in 1913), it's a strangely believable alternate reality that Gerstenberg creates here with ease. No matter how you pick this play apart, it all comes down to basic human emotions and when dealing with emotions, typically rules go out the window. The concept of this is really quite remarkable, and the fact that Gerstenberg pulled it off in 1913 is even more remarkable. Not only does the play draw the audience in, but it also takes a somewhat fantastical premise, puts it directly in the audience's face almost immediately and more often than not the play is ultimately accepted in a positive light, because the audience can relate to the characters and their basic human traits, even when in this particular instance these two individuals don't really exist.
Now, for my take on how, or why Hetty and Maggie seem to be capable of communicating to each other is a little more thought-provoking, I hope. I believe that in the final moments of the play in which we hear Hetty scream to Maggie as they part ways, "I Hate You!" And then almost immediately following we hear Maggie's fierce response, "I Hate You! This is the culmination of the emotions that these two women have been feeling towards one another for quite some time. Perhaps it is in that very instant that both Maggie and Hetty actually catch a glimpse of one another and are actually acknowledging one another. Harriet and Margaret's emotions are running so high at this moment that their inner selves are just waiting to break out and tear the other apart. And its in this time, when dealing with human emotions that even a simple nod of the head can mean death. With a mind full of emotions lacking reason, one's true self has a way of being revealed. And still these two women, part ways as "friends". Oh what tangled webs we weave.......