False Reality In Dear Evan Levenson

As bystanders in society, it is easy for people to watch situations unfold and judge. To get frustrated about how easy it seems to solve or get out. Although, how something appears to an outsider may not be as two-dimensional as it seems. In a script about well-being and community, an unlikely theme of false reality is found. In the musical, Dear Evan Hansen written by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Evan does not admit the truth about his relationship with Connor due to the anxiety and pressure he is faced with and the hope that he can stay in the new life he's created for himself.

Made clear from the first start, Evan does not have great social skills and commonly deals with anxiety. After Connor takes his own life and is found

Deeper into the script pressure stops playing a big role in reasoning, now he seems confident and almost carefree. Another thing now strikes Evan as he continues to live if his lies. In his therapy letter to himself, he writes his deepest wish. “I wish that everything was different. I wish I were a part of something. I wish that what I said mattered to anyone” (Levenson et al. *25*). He sees a change in his life where he is and has exactly what he has always wanted; A loving family, a mother who has the time, a father figure and a girlfriend. As well as a community, respect and recognition. It's almost as if he has slipped right into another reality, rarely acknowledging that the entirety of his amazing life is built on a singular fib. It makes perfect sense why Evan would not want to reflect on that fact, before Connor and the Murphy's, all he could reflect on was he's struggles with mental health, lack of support as his mom and how he would no one. Evan Jared never considered him a real friend as he comfortably states many times. The audience reaches the realization of what really happened when Evan fell off a tree and broke his arm. “Did you fall? Or did you let go?” (Levenson et al. *82*) the imaginary Connor asks, already knowing the answer. In this one small quote, so much about Evan is revealed. An inside look at just how much he was struggling and what it means to be trapped on the outside, waving through a window. He was having such a hard time that the only solution or way out Evan could think of was suicide, just like Connor. With his newly-found family and community, Evan evidently feels less alone, no longer helpless and even his anxiety goes down drastically as he stops taking his meds. He is no longer