Next to Normal Chapter Summary & Analysis - Act 2, Part 3 Summary

Act 2, Part 3 Summary

Scene 7 - Diana, in conversation with Dr. Madden, sings of not knowing or understanding what's happening to her or how her memory is working - a reprise of "You Don't Know," only this time it's "I Don't Know" (see "Quotes", p. 78). As she sings of how difficult it is to get Dan to talk, Madden's reference to Gabe stops both the song and the conversation cold. Diana doesn't remember having a son. Madden urges her to talk more to Dan. He then disappears.

Scene 8 - Diana, left alone, is handed the music box by Gabe. She listens to it, and Gabe hums along with its song. Dan interrupts, and Diana starts remembering how the music box helped their son sleep. Music starts ("How Could I Ever Forget?", a careful, slow, ballad) as Diana remembers the details of Gabe's death and rushing him to the hospital when he...
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