Equus

That night, Dora comes to Dysart’s office. She believes that there is something important that Dysart should know regarding the horse picture in Alan’s room. Before the horse, a different picture was on the bedroom wall. The picture depicted Jesus Christ being tortured before his execution; Alan “insisted on buying it with his pocket money” (51). Though Frank had allowed the picture, he demanded that it be taken down after arguing about religion with Dora. He tore the picture down and threw it in the trash. This incensed Alan, who became “hysterical” (52) for a few days. Only when Frank gave him the picture of the horse did he begin to calm down. Dora leaves the office. Dysart admits that he senses a “real alarm” (53).

The stables where Alan worked on weekends are owned by Harry Dalton. Visiting Dysart, Dalton insists that Alan should be imprisoned for what he has done. He explains that the girl who worked at the stable, Jill Mason, experienced a “nervous breakdown” in the wake of the crime. She blames herself for what Alan has done, as she was the person who introduced Alan to the stables. Dalton remembers Alan as a good worker.