In Millenium Approaches, the first half of his two-part dramatic epic Angels in America (which can and does stand alone as a work), Tony Kushner poses what Russian thinkers have called "the accursed questions"--those big philosophical topics that include the role of the nation, man's place in society, the social function of art, and so on. We'll be wrestling with these issues (like Jacob/Yakov and the Angel), as well as the ones you post below for next Tuesday's class. You may find it fruitful to consider the play in conversation with Unbearable Lightness, since both works struggle to make sense of the movement of history, and the possibility of acting ethically in moments of personal and epistemic crisis. Enjoy--this is a goodie! 
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Getting Vertiginous (again) with Angels in America
In Millenium Approaches, the first half of his two-part dramatic epic Angels in America (which can and does stand alone as a work), Tony Kushner poses what Russian thinkers have called "the accursed questions"--those big philosophical topics that include the role of the nation, man's place in society, the social function of art, and so on. We'll be wrestling with these issues (like Jacob/Yakov and the Angel), as well as the ones you post below for next Tuesday's class. You may find it fruitful to consider the play in conversation with Unbearable Lightness, since both works struggle to make sense of the movement of history, and the possibility of acting ethically in moments of personal and epistemic crisis. Enjoy--this is a goodie! 
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In Millenium Approaches, there's an emphasis on the idea that if one doesn't succumb to his homosexual desires (in the character of Joe) or if one doesn't exclusively participate in sex with men and also avoids several supposed traits of homosexuals (in the character of Roy), then one can't be labeled a homosexual by others. But these two characters are still called out by other characters on their homosexuality. What does this say about the denial of sexuality and it's inevitable exposure? How can we tie this sexual denial to other characters we've read about, such as Esther in The Bell Jar and Allerton of Queer?
ReplyDeleteThus far, Harper and Prior seem to be the main source of philosophy. In their conjoined dream/hallucination they introduce another sort of unbearable heaviness as far as the truth and lack of power of the imagination. How does this emphasize the harsh reality of those deemed "others"?
ReplyDeleteIt is evident from the opening scenes that Judeo-Christian themes interplay with the film; however, while Joe’s openness to his sexuality is crushed by his Mormonism, Louis’ Jewish heritage and religion either play too little a role in his life to matter or do not affect his openness to his sexuality; is this a contrast between how different religions interact with their followers, and vice versa, or just a commentary on religion overall? Also, when both characters look to their religion for answers (Louis asks the rabbi for advice, Joe’s daily prayers, etc) both Judaism and Christianity give little clarity; how does this reflect the role of religion in American society in that era?
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, both religions – Mormonism and Judaism – were/are minority religions in the US that cast long shadows in terms of stereotypes and cultural influence. How does Angels in America further advance the image of the Jew and the Mormon in America? What traits stand out in each character, and how to they relate to that character's religion?
DeleteIn Kushner's Millennium Approaches, betrayal seems to be a major theme across the main protagonists. Louis betrays Prior in his struggle with AIDS, Harper feels betrayed by Joe as he renounces any history of sexual attraction to her, and Roy actively denounces his hatred for communists and traitors. What do these various betrays signify in the context of this text (perhaps think about questions of identity and citizenship)? How is this related to Sabina's conception of betrayal in The Unbearable Lightness of Being?
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is really interesting is that Roy is also a Jew. In fact, he is a package of negative Jewish stereotypes. But in this regard, too, he is self-loathing, and denounces Ethel for her Jewishness.
DeleteAs he asks
"Why would a nice Jewish boy from the Bronx, the son of a renowned liberal Democratic judge, choose to make his name by prosecuting the Rosenbergs and working for Joe McCarthy?"
Kushner creates an antagonist on the basis of self-betrayal.. The question we should ask is how and why can a Jew be an anti-semite, a homosexual a homophobe?
Millennium Approaches focuses on biblical references and religion repeatedly, specifically the arguably contradictory religions of Judaism and Mormonism. Many believe that religion is supposed to give one a feeling of safety and community, but for both the Jewish Louis and the Mormon Joe, religion seem to deepen their lack of self-esteem and guilt over their sexualities. Considering this, what is Kushner trying to say about modern religious ties and their relationship with sexuality?
ReplyDeleteWhat does the scene with Prior 1 and Prior 2 imply about the history of homosexuality? The other Priors seem to be straight, and they obviously had children in order to continue the lineage of the Priors. Does this support the idea that being gay is a result of modern social forces? If anyone's read D'Emelio's "Capitalism and Gay Identity," he argues that capitalism contributed to the development of gay and lesbian identities. Do we see this in Angles in America?
ReplyDelete