Words Fail ~Ashlyn Scism

((Dear Evan Hansen Spoilers!!!)) 

I was listening to the musical Dear Evan Hansen while brainstorming ideas for this blog post when it hit me. Evan is like Edmund. Evan virtually starts at the bottom and through deceit, he ends up at the top. Similarly, Edmund started out with nothing, and using lies and cunning he wound up co-conspiring with royalty. When Evan’s lies are exposed he falls right back where he started. So too, does Edmund fall when his plot is uncovered. 

At the start of the show, Evan had severe social anxiety and no real friends. Then suddenly through one misunderstanding and a lie, everything shifted. People began seeking him out and wanting to connect with him. He becomes an honorary part of someone’s family. The girl he has had a crush on for years begins to notice him. Although it was originally a miscommunication, Evan doesn’t want it to end so he fabricates more evidence to bolster his new identity. He ends up becoming a viral voice on social media that thousands of people relate to. Now an inspiration to many, with multiple friends, a girlfriend, and a family, he has everything he could ever want. Evan is at the top until his first most crucial lie is uncovered. Then everything falls apart. His online movement crumbles, his friends are horrified, his girlfriend won’t even speak to him, and he is abandoned by his new family. The show ends with Evan right back where he started, all alone.

Edmund was born with nothing. He was the illegitimate son of a Duke. He had no inheritance and no independent social standing. So he crafted a plot to gain power and respect. Edmund tricked his father and then his brother. He wormed his way into the palace and conspired with the wicked princesses. He planned to marry one of them and become king. However, his ambition proved contagious and both princesses wanted to be his bride. This resulted in the deaths of both princesses along with Edmund’s own. 

Evan and Edmund were lacking the things they wanted most and in their struggle to gain them, they ended up suffering more than they had in the beginning.

~Ashlyn Scism 

P.S. I commented on Song and Samantha’s posts

Comments

  1. Abigale BellAugust 29, 2021 at 7:14 PM

    Hi Ashlyn! Interesting post! I like the comparison to Dear Evan Hansen. Though I haven't seen it, I can see the similarities you draw out. How ironic that Edmund, who so wanted to be seen as more than an outcast, would make it so far only to have everything crumble before him. I wonder what his life would have looked like had he not lied his way to the top. We wouldn't have much of a story then I suppose.

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  2. Emma Kate PattersonAugust 30, 2021 at 2:59 PM

    I think this goes back to the concept that the truth always comes out. Often times people lie in order to get their way and get what they want. Although this works for a short amount of time the truth eventually comes out and everything they have gained is lost.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Song WhittingtonAugust 30, 2021 at 9:55 PM

    They both began presumably alone, "waving through a window," if you will. Yet, had they reached out they could have found what they longed for. I like your analogy, and it holds throughout both plays. If only they realized the alternative route before it was too late.

    ReplyDelete

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