Uncle Stephen's Apartment

Uncle Stephen’s home represents a refuge for all three main characters. Like the other settings, Stephen’s home is an apartment in Manhattan. It also represents the themes of 'Keep History Alive', 'The Influence of Pop Culture', and 'Love Above All'. This is where Stephen hosts Sunday night movie nights with Judy and Art, until Reza enters the picture. Art thinks of Stephen’s home with reverence - “It’s my favorite place in the city. I love everything about it. I love all the pictures of him and Jose. They give me hope that someday I’ll find someone to fall in love with” (106).

Stephen’s apartment is also where he keeps the pot of jelly beans - the representation of all his friends who have died of AIDS. Art escapes to Stephen’s apartment after his fight with Darryl at school, watching old...