All of these characters are members of at least one group that leaves them marginalized or subjects them to prejudice and ridicule: Louis is Jewish, Prior has AIDS, Harper is a Mormon woman, and Joe is a gay Republican. In addition to these primary characters, characters such as Roy Cohn, a public figure and closeted homosexual dying of AIDS; Belize, a black ex-drag-queen; and Hannah, a Mormon mother, also experience life on the fringe of society. They all live in a time and a nation that denies them the right to be who they truly are. Though the primary themes of
Angels in America relate to identity, illness, and sexuality, issues of religion, race, gender, and political affiliation resonate just as loudly in the play.
During this time of upheaval and crisis for these characters, Prior is visited by the Angel, who declares Prior a prophet. The play captures a particular era in American history at a pivotal point: with so much death and disaster, humanity must make a decision to progress. Leaving things in their current state, or even regressing into past behaviors and lifestyles, is not an option.
This is a free page. This page contains 183 words. This
article contains 10,023 words (approx. 33 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Article with our Angels in America - Tony Kushner - 1992 Access Pass.
