In this paper, I will take a look at how Kushner's characters Prior and Harper deal with challenges in the changes in the postmodern world of the 1980s.
Tony Kushner's two-part drama "Angels of America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes" takes place at the height of America's conservative politics and culture in the mid-1980s under the leadership of Ronald Reagan. The very complex drama depicts the life of a group of people from New York against the background of national themes, which examines the AIDS epidemic and political situation during that time. Scholars who explore the play from the historical, political, and sociological point of view, claims that it reconstructs the American nation. I will focus on the notation of progress and change, which exemplifies our struggle between staying put and our need to move forward.
I will investigate the progress of two special characters, who were considered as either weak or insane at the beginning of the play, but as they went through life changing challenges, they became independent and strong personalities. As Fisher pointed out: "The play proceeds to explore the deep anxieties of its characters through their visions of the forces that effect and control their lives, and as they discover their own strengths and weaknesses". How to move forward into an uncertain future if things around us are collapsing is one main question of Tony Kushner’s play. He encourages people to move forward, releasing from the past and to embrace uncertainty because humans just need to progress and change, although it is very painful sometimes. The character Prior sums it up in her a final monologue, telling us that "The world only spins forward". In a broader sense, the question arises how these small human triumphs relate to the play's larger political themes. Progress, especially in today's postmodern era, is mostly considered positive and helpful, considering how newly gained knowledge and technology make life so much easier and more pleasant. Nevertheless, in a progressing world, humanity faces many problems, for example environmental pollution. Besides, traditions and old values disappear or get replaced, while isolation and selfishness proceed.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Progressive towards Apocalypse?
- 2.1 Harper reflects Eschatological Anxieties
- 2.2 Virus of Prophecy
- 3. (Re)establishing a Social Order
- 3.1 San Francisco - Finding Heaven on Earth
- 3.2 Prior embraces progressive Change
- 3.3 Bethesda and Kushner's Political Vision
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the portrayal of progress and change in Tony Kushner's Angels in America, focusing on the journeys of Prior Walter and Harper Pitt. It investigates how these characters, initially perceived as weak or unstable, develop into independent individuals through challenging life experiences. The analysis explores how their personal struggles intersect with broader political and social themes within the play, particularly within the context of the AIDS epidemic and the conservative political climate of the 1980s.
- The concept of progress in a postmodern context, juxtaposing positive advancements with negative consequences.
- The exploration of apocalyptic anxieties and their reflection in the characters' experiences.
- The portrayal of personal transformation and resilience in the face of adversity.
- The intersection of personal struggles with larger political and social themes.
- Kushner's commentary on societal changes and the challenges of navigating uncertainty.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, highlighting the play's setting amidst the conservative political and cultural landscape of the 1980s. It introduces the central theme of progress and change, focusing on the transformative journeys of Prior Walter and Harper Pitt. The chapter emphasizes the play's exploration of anxieties surrounding the future and the challenges of moving forward amidst societal and personal upheaval. It frames the main question of the paper: how do these characters' personal triumphs relate to the larger political themes of the play? The introduction establishes the context of the analysis by citing existing scholarship that positions the play within historical, political, and sociological frameworks. Finally, it previews the key arguments that will be developed in subsequent chapters.
2. A Progress towards Apocalypse?: This chapter explores the ambiguous nature of progress in Kushner's play, particularly as it's presented in the first part, "Millennium Approaches." It examines how Kushner challenges the traditional optimistic view of progress by highlighting its negative consequences, such as the AIDS epidemic, environmental concerns, and the erosion of traditional values. The chapter uses the motif of "migration" and the Rabbi's eulogy to illustrate the complex relationship between progress, loss, and uncertainty. It introduces the perspectives of Walter Benjamin, highlighting the play's connection between past and present, and it sets the stage for an examination of the apocalyptic anxieties experienced by the play's central characters.
2.1. Harper reflects Eschatological Anxieties: This section focuses on Harper Pitt's character and her anxieties concerning the future. It details her reliance on valium and her vivid apocalyptic visions that reflect a deep-seated fear of change. Her fears are linked to the destruction of the ozone layer, symbolizing the consequences of unchecked progress and industrial pollution. The chapter contrasts Harper's apocalyptic worldview, characterized by sudden and total transformation, with the progressive view of gradual change and liberation. Harper's troubled relationship with her husband Joe and her escape into fantasy are explored as manifestations of her fear and emotional pain. The analysis highlights how her visions are metaphorical representations of her internal struggles and her inability to cope with the breakdown of her marriage and her subsequent recognition of her husband's homosexuality. It shows her path from emotional paralysis to a decision to move forward in spite of the pain.
2.2. The Virus of Prophecy: This section shifts to Prior Walter and his experience with AIDS. His illness and the subsequent abandonment by his partner, Louis, represent another facet of the play's exploration of apocalyptic anxieties. The chapter highlights the parallels between Harper and Prior's experiences, showcasing how both characters confront profound personal crises amid wider societal transformations. Prior's visions and struggles are interpreted as a reflection of the pervasive sense of uncertainty and potential catastrophe related to the AIDS epidemic. His journey becomes a metaphor for facing the unknown and finding strength in the face of overwhelming odds, foreshadowing his eventual embrace of change and agency.
Keywords
Angels in America, Tony Kushner, progress, change, apocalypse, AIDS epidemic, 1980s America, postmodernism, Harper Pitt, Prior Walter, eschatology, political conservatism, personal transformation, social commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Angels in America - A Progress Towards Apocalypse?
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper analyzes Tony Kushner's Angels in America, focusing on how the play portrays progress and change, particularly through the experiences of Prior Walter and Harper Pitt. It examines how their personal journeys intersect with broader political and social themes, especially the AIDS epidemic and the conservative political climate of the 1980s.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including: the concept of progress in a postmodern context; apocalyptic anxieties and their reflection in the characters' lives; personal transformation and resilience; the intersection of personal struggles with larger political and social issues; and Kushner's commentary on societal changes and navigating uncertainty.
Which characters are central to the analysis?
The analysis primarily focuses on Prior Walter and Harper Pitt. Their personal struggles and transformations are used as lenses through which to examine the play's broader themes.
What is the significance of the AIDS epidemic in the play?
The AIDS epidemic serves as a major backdrop and a crucial element in shaping the characters' experiences and the play's overall exploration of anxieties surrounding progress, loss, and mortality. It's presented as a consequence of unchecked progress and a catalyst for personal and societal transformation.
How does the paper define "progress"?
The paper examines "progress" in a nuanced way, acknowledging both its positive advancements and its negative consequences. It challenges the traditional optimistic view of progress by highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in the concept.
What is the role of apocalyptic anxieties in the play?
Apocalyptic anxieties are central to the play. The characters' experiences of personal crises are intertwined with a broader sense of societal uncertainty and the fear of potential catastrophe. This anxiety is explored through various motifs, such as Harper's visions and Prior's illness.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four chapters: an introduction setting the context and outlining the key arguments; a chapter exploring the ambiguous nature of progress in the play, focusing on "Millennium Approaches"; a chapter analyzing the characters' reflections of eschatological anxieties; and a conclusion. The second chapter further divides into sections focusing on Harper Pitt and Prior Walter respectively.
What are some key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries reveal a detailed analysis of the play's themes, exploring how the characters confront their personal struggles and how these struggles relate to larger political and social issues of the 1980s. Each chapter focuses on different aspects of the play's complex portrayal of progress, change, and the anxieties surrounding them.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Angels in America, Tony Kushner, progress, change, apocalypse, AIDS epidemic, 1980s America, postmodernism, Harper Pitt, Prior Walter, eschatology, political conservatism, personal transformation, and social commentary.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2019, Portraying Prior Walter's and Harper Pitt's progressive journey in Tony Kushner's "Angels in America", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1360355
