Why 'Dear Evan Hansen' Is The Voice Of Our Generation
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why 'Dear Evan Hansen' Is The Voice Of Our Generation

The show has greatly transformed the stigma around mental health.

59
Why 'Dear Evan Hansen' Is The Voice Of Our Generation
Instagram

A story about a socially awkward teenager who writes fake emails about his fake friendship with another teenager who committed suicide would never show up anytime but now.

"Dear Evan Hansen," the hit phenomenon on Broadway, sheds light on issues that no one will really talk about.

Evan Hasen, an 18-year-old, has severe anxiety. At the start of the show, we can see his twitching and nervous gestures around other people. I don't want to give anything away, but Evan writes letters to himself as a pep talk of sorts.

The letter gets into the wrong hands, and Evan becomes the recipient of a fake friendship.

Does anybody have a map?

Now, the plot only plays a partial plot in the overall theme and message. Anxiety and mental illness are very prominent in today's society. It seems like everyone has it, and it has ceased to get better. It's been portrayed as a bad thing to have, and unfixable. But Evan Hansen shows us that it's okay to have anxiety.

It's not something you are born with, it just happens. Evan grows so much over the course of the show, he stops taking his anxiety medications. The transition of his confidence shows us that things can potentially get better.

Is anybody waving back at me?

"Waving Through A Window" is a particularly emotional song. The staging is phenomenal. Evan is standing alone in the middle of the stage, and while he is singing everyone is walking around him, ignoring him. I feel like this is very relatable.

People with anxiety are generally ignored, and that shouldn't be happening. But this show can change that, it really can.

Have you ever felt like you could disappear? Like you could fall and no one would hear?

The show further addresses mental health with Connor's suicide. As an audience, we don't know exactly how he died, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that that happened, and it shouldn't have. Connor's death could have been preventable.

No one deserves to be forgotten, no one deserves to disappear...

I feel like Evan Hansen's mother is worth mentioning. She basically neglects Evan in the beginning of the show, only concerned about his anxiety. She doesn't really see him as a person but as a victim. But by the end of the show, she truly understands him and embraces him.

Your mom isn't going anywhere, your mom is staying right here no matter what...

The song "You Will Be Found" made me sob when I first heard it. It gave me hope that things could get better. It inspires every kid around the globe who is going through something unimaginable.

That's what this show does.

I could go on and on, but that's what this show is for. A glimmer of hope for someone just like Evan, or a prevention of what happened to Connor.

Evan Hansen is a lifesaver, and a piece of gold in a sea of silver. It has truly become the voice of our generation.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

97758
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments