Chapter 1 begins with the phrase that serves as the novel’s title: “Dear Evan Hansen” (5). The novel’s narrator and protagonist, Evan Hansen, a shy and timid high school senior, is writing a letter to himself. Evan explains that the letters are an assignment from his therapist, Dr. Sherman, who tells him the letters have no goal other than to help him sort out his feelings. Evan is skeptical of therapy but also admits that “other times I think the real problem is that I can never get myself to fully buy in” (7). He struggles with depression and anxiety, and takes medication to cope. He explains that social situations are particularly distressing, noting that even talking to the food delivery person provokes anxiety.

Evan is an only child and lives with his mom on the East Coast after his parents divorced and his dad moved to Colorado. Evan’s mom, Mrs. Hansen, works long hours as a nurse and also takes classes at night, so he rarely sees her. The two often communicate by leaving notes for each other around the house. The novel begins on the first day of Evan’s senior year. Evan is nervous about school, and Mrs.