Next to Normal Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. Describe the musical elements, structure and terms in Act 1, Scene 1. How are the music and dialogue intercut and what effect does this have on the reader/audience?

2. Describe the character of Natalie in the narrative. How old is Natalie? What characteristics does she embody? With what characters is she closest?

3. Describe the setting of Next to Normal. What are the time and place in which the action takes place? How is the setting evoked in the music?

4. Describe and analyze the characters of Dan and Dr. Fine in the musical....
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