Evan Hansen Is NOT a sociopath- Page 2

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 12:38am

Phantom4ever said: "Back to the thread topic, I find the real objectionable character in DEH to be Alana. The way she immediately turned the suicide into an attention-getting ploy for herself sickened me. I wish she had a song about how empty she felt inside because of her actions.
Lots of people are like that though. In the weeks after 9/11, a friend was visiting me in New York City and she saw firetrucks racing through Times Sq with their lights on. She immediately called her mom back home and asked her to turn on the news to see if they were heading to another terror attack and I could tell she was actually disappointed when there was nothing on the news—-no way to finagle a tragedy into attention on her. Needless to say we aren’t friends anymore."

I know this isn't really on the thread topic, but...SERIOUSLY???? That's just a disgusting attitude for her to have. 

Updated On: 2/6/18 at 12:38 AM

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 7:47am

Very interesting responses- love reading them. The thing I find interesting about adolescence is the trial and error nature of finding out what the world is all about- now that  a person is getting older and more independent- and how and where you want to fit in and be a part of the world. Not an easy segment f life growing up- but then again- which segment is easy? Yet, no matter how icky a character is portrayed- and the scenario in DEH is pretty grotesque- at least it led to growth and some degree of self awareness. Besides, as we all know, after a certain age, most people simply do not change and are who they are. But young people's lives are much more fluid- as parents- and I am not a parent- know.Anyway, as a teacher, I find I can deal much more compassionately with younger people making mistakes and having lapses in character and ethics- then I can adults. Anyway, that is my last take on the subject- and thank you for so many thoughtful and interesting responses. Personally, I like drama the best in theater- can't wait for Iceman and Three Tall Women. I like complexity and depth in theater - be it likable or not- as long as it grabs me and makes me think.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 8:17am

I think the responses you see here are two fold:

One: This has been talked about,over and over again, in several other threads 

Two:  The OP is the one that doesn't want to talk, but rather DEMAND that his opinion is right.    

Three: How does criticizing the people of the board HELP the thread, either?

[Kad]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 9:52am

The real question is when will Evan Hansen strike again? Is anyone in that town safe?

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 10:25am

dramamama611 said: "I think the responses you see here are two fold:

One: This has been talked about,over and over again, in several other threads

Two: The OP is the one that doesn't want to talk, but rather DEMAND that his opinion is right.

Three: How does criticizing the people of the board HELP the thread, either?"

Well, it's 1, 2, 3... what are we posting for?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 10:25am

People are saying Evan is a sociopath?  That's carelessly reductive.  It sounds as though they don't really know what a sociopath is or how they function and interact.  I'm not a fan of the show as I do think the book show a lack of real responsibility, especially when it comes to committing fraud, but he's definitely NOT a sociopath.  

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 10:39am

Andy51 said: "This discussion is so 2016-2017."

It says about how little there is to disucuss musical-wise for the 2017-2018 season.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 12:05pm

Discussing and analyzing a complex character- be it in theater- books- historical figures- whatever- never gets old. George and Martha are still topics for discussion- as is Blanche- Willy Loman- Princess Diana- Dolly- Churchill- Boleyn- and on and on. That is the power and interest that complex characters hold- and the relevance of these personalities over time does not diminish.

[edmundog2]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 12:32pm

Maybe he's a sociopath, maybe not. He's definitely an asshole. And the people saying "who cares, he's fictional" must lead pretty dull lives if they think fiction can't be discussed.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 2:07pm

Maybe he's a sociopath, maybe not.

Based on his actions and dialogue in the show, he's definitely not.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 3:28pm

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Andy51 said: "This discussion is so 2016-2017."

It says about how little there is to disucuss musical-wise for the 2017-2018 season."

I present: Come from Away, Great Comet (and it's disastrous end), Hello Dolly revival, and Christian Borle's failure in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 3:34pm

Dancingthrulife2 said: "It says about how little there is to disucuss musical-wise for the 2017-2018 season."

I will literally discuss The Band's Visit for ages on end with anybody who'd like!!! 

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 3:42pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "It says about how little there is to disucuss musical-wise for the 2017-2018 season."

I will literally discussThe Band's Visitfor ages on end with anybody who'd like!!!"

Strange choice for a Trump supporter.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 4:53pm

I am not a Trump supporter- in fact- just the opposite- but I think that mentioning someone's political views when reviewing a show is not really fair- a bit snarky.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 10:53am

BWAY Baby2 said: "I am not a Trump supporter- in fact- just the opposite- but I think that mentioning someone's political views when reviewing a show is not really fair- a bit snarky."

They weren’t addressing you. They were addressing Broadway Concierge, who *is* a Trump supporter and the comment was regarding their seemingly incongruous taste in theatre and politicians (a show about communal empathy vs. a politician who wouldn’t know empathy if it was covered in gold leaf and sat in his office).

Back on topic, this thread is mighty unproductive and some folks around here need to brush up on their psychology terms. A sociopath is an individual who has no conscience and displays extreme antisocial behavior. The character Evan Hansen is a lot of things, but he is decidedly not a sociopath.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 11:26am

Yeah, no. He's not a sociopath and there's nothing in the text to suggest that he is. It's shown many times that he feels very guilty about what he does and it's not like he's purposefully trying to hurt anyone. All of his actions are trying to help the Murphys. None of his actions are malicious. Honestly, what makes this show compelling to me is how imperfect the characters are. None of them are perfect people. I question if those who say that Evan is a sociopath or a jerk or anything like that actually saw the show or paid attention when they saw it. There's just so much in the text that I hear the naysayers of this show completely gloss over. It's almost like you couldn't get tickets to the show and read the plot synopsis and listened to the cast album. I wonder if that's the case for some people on here.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 1:16pm

GeorgeandDot - I, and many folks I know personally, saw the show and still came away thinking Evan is a problematic character. And not in the way that you’re implying. I don’t find any of the characters all that complex. Most of them are fairly two-dimensional; acting as plot devices more than living, breathing humans. That doesn’t mean we didn’t understand it. It means we interpreted it differently than you. And that’s fine.

This has been discussed to death here and elsewhere on the board. It’s an opinion, just like the opinion that Evan is a good person. Or whatever. The problem I have with the show has less to do with the unlikability of its characters and their flaws, and more to do with the saccharine sentimentality it tries to evoke through its music. The score tries to impress on us the same kind of warm-and-fuzzies one might get from watching videos of dogs being reunited with their owners or inspiring stories of people overcoming physical disabilities with its soft pop-rock, top 40 sound. And yet, for all of this preaching that if we just listen to the real needs of the people around us and help them heal, there is not ONE. SINGLE. RESOURCE. listed in the Playbill or in the theater for suicide prevention or mental health services. This was especially offensive to me after being rubbed the wrong way for 2.5 hours by the use of suicide as a plot device and nothing more.

I’d be down to watch a show that actually explores the reality of the themes presented by the writers here. But there is nothing realistic about the circumstances DEH, as written and produced, presents in current state.

Updated On: 2/7/18 at 01:16 PM

[leighmiserables]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 2:58pm

# Updated On: 4/23/21 at 02:58 PM

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:38pm

Whenever I read subject line, I start imagining Evan Hansen singing "I'm no sociopath/I'm no Sylvia Plath" from Next to Normal.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 4:54pm

Wow- what a great discussion this turned out to be- really, I am learning a lot about the diverse ways a theater piece can be viewed. I totally understand the deeper implications of the critics given here- and all I can say is I do understand the other points of view stated above. Teen suicide- lying- punishment for devious deeds for a teenager- or adult- the treatment for mental illness- these are all complex topics and I am getting some new insights into how people view the play. Thank you.