Tony Kushner's Angels In America

“Angels in America” is without a doubt Tony Kushner’s finest work. Even though it was published in 1993, the play constructs a picture of the gay society in the 1980s. America in the 1980s was dominated by both conservative ideology after Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1981 and AIDS virus. Ronald Reagan stressed the importance of religious freedom and it, desirably or undesirably, affects the gay community at such time. The most dominant religion in America is Christianity, and such religion taught that intercourse between people of the same sex is unacceptable. Moreover, the fact that Reagan “virtually ignored the AIDS crisis” (Crary) devastated the gay community at the time. Kushner captures such society into his play and uses it to convey his messages. Through Angels in America, Kushner calls for recognizing and accepting of
Through the complexity in the life of Roy Cohn, Kushner rejects the idea that in order to become powerful, gay people must enclosed themselves. He presented that open gay can also be strong through the character Prior suffering and surviving AIDS. Religion, under Kushner view, also blocks homosexuals from their true identity, but it won’t stop them forever as unhappiness will drive human to their true identity. Joe Pitts proves his point as he grows out of his religion and accept his identity. The spread of AIDS and Progressivism are also addressed. Kushner believe Reagan is responsible for the disastrous effect of AIDS as he, as well as the angel, acknowledges the disease but doesn’t response to it. The development of characters throughout the play marks a statement that while AIDS kills a large number of gay people, it does not stop them from advocating for their rights. Overall, Kushner calls for people of all religions to dismiss their differences and accept homosexuals into the