Kailee Gronow
1
ENG 10 Final
Prompt #3
June 9, 2020
Not Your Average Joe
Peter Shaffer’s
Equus
is as complex as the mysterious human mind. Shaffer investigates
psychological questions about normality. Individuality perhaps triumphing normality provokes
many uncertainties; while unraveling the mysterious, psychological thrill that makes up the plot.
Shaffer’s
Equus
examines the minds of two characters: Alan and Dr. Dysart; revealing that
unconventional worship may be equivalent in importance to the mainstream ones. In order to
draw this conclusion Shaffer discloses Alan’s true attraction to his fantasy, the religious
upbringing conflicting with his mental health, and how individuality can even persuade a
psychiatrist to question his purpose.
Seventeen year old Alan, is torn between his repressed sexuality and the religious views
amongst his household; the characterization of his parents, Dora and Frank, reveals that Alan
lives in a house where sexuality is repressed. His mother sees sexuality as dirty and is reluctant
to further discuss this. Even his father describes his wife to be excessively pushing her religious
beliefs down their son’s throat. This leads to Alan developing a strange fantasy; he first describes
his attraction, "I couldn't take my eyes off them. Just to watch their skins. The way their necks
twist, and sweat shines in the folds..." Although his fantasy is abnormal, it isn’t necessarily
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- GHOSH
- Equus, Peter Shaffer, Alan Strang
