| re: I see Evan as damaged (re: 'Dear Evan Hansen' was much more acclaimed onstage than on film) | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 04:31 pm EDT 07/13/24 | |
| In reply to: re: I see Evan as damaged (re: 'Dear Evan Hansen' was much more acclaimed onstage than on film) - KingSpeed 03:03 pm EDT 07/13/24 | |
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| Exactly. I think one's life experience with troubled teenage kids may have a lot to do with how to understand Evan's actions. In scene 4 of act 1, Evan is left alone with Larry and Cynthia Murphy in the principal's office. The Murphys inform Evan that Connor has taken his own life and show Evan the letter. Evan, of course, is shocked and silent for a moment. However, he then tells the Murphys quite clearly "Connor didn't write this." Cynthia Murphy, obviously agitated, questions his statement. To which Evan says again "Connor didn't, he didn't write this." Cynthia refuses to accept Evan's statement and becomes more and more hysterical. Evan starts to say one more time "No, I just, he didn't ..." before he's cut short by Cynthia's out-of-control hysterics. Finally, the Murphys see Connor's name on Evan's cast and there is absolutely no stopping them at believing what they want to believe. Nevertheless, in that entire scene Evan never tells a lie. Unfortunately, the Murphys, faced with their son's suicide, are grasping at straws that he might have had a secret friendship with Evan that just may have brought him some peace and happiness. When Evan meets with Jared in the next scene, they concoct a scenario in which Evan will not lie but will just let the Murphys continue to believe what they want to believe about their son's supposed friendship. Jared: "I didn't say, 'lie'. All you have to do is nod and confirm." That is easier said, then done. Of course, as adults we know this decision is morally wrong. That said, how can we expect two immature teenagers, one of whom has severe anxiety issues and acute low self-esteem, to confront the grief-stricken Murphys and tell them that Connor was a bad person, bullied Evan, and actually stole the letter that Evan had written to himself as a therapy exercise? I certainly would not want to do it, and I spent 25 years as a high school teacher, high school coach, and community baseball coach (plus an 11-year stint as a second lieutenant in the army intertwined in those years). I knew a number of kids and young men with issues like Evan and at least one very tragic young man like Connor. |
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