Normalcy

Normalcy is a major theme in the play "Equus" by Peter Schaffer. Normalcy includes that which is usual, acceptable, peaceable, and socially-approved by a majority or whole of a population, or by individuals. In the play "Equus", ideas of normalcy are on the minds of many characters, but most notably, on the minds of Dysart and Alan.

For Dysart, normalcy is that which is normal, meaning that which is not mentally imbalanced. As a psychiatrist, Dysart treats everyone from the neurotic to the psychotic to the insane. Dysart's understanding of normalcy has not only to do with socially-conventional and usual thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyles, but of mental cognizance, balance, and regularity. For Dysart, Alan's worshiping of horses is not a normal thing socially or scientifically. Dysart therefore endeavors to treat Alan, only along the way to wonder if what is considered socially normal is truly normal...