The Meaning Of Normal In The Musical Play Next To Normal
Auteurs : الذرب زينب . تبارك تبارك .
Résumé
This study explores the concept of **normality** in the musical *Next to Normal* by examining how trauma, mental illness, grief, and family dysfunction reshape the meaning of a "normal" life. The analysis focuses on the Goodman family, whose unresolved grief following the death of their son Gabe leads to psychological fragmentation, emotional isolation, and the collapse of family relationships. The study further investigates the musical's critique of contemporary psychiatric practices, particularly the excessive reliance on psychopharmacology and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), arguing that these treatments often suppress symptoms without addressing the emotional roots of trauma. In addition, the paper examines the themes of denial, stigma, and the social pressure to maintain an appearance of normality, demonstrating how these factors intensify psychological suffering. Ultimately, the study concludes that *Next to Normal* redefines normality not as perfection, but as the honest acceptance of pain, vulnerability, and human imperfection, making it one of the most significant contemporary musicals addressing mental health and family trauma.
Mots clés
Keywords:Next to Normal; Mental Illness; Trauma; Grief; Normality; Family Dysfunction; Bipolar Disorder; Psychiatric Treatment; Denial; Musical Theatre.
