Identity In Tony Kushner's 'Angels In America'

Finding Yourself In Tony Kushner’s play “Angels in America” the strong concept of “identity” is explored through each character. Factors such as religion, sexuality, and social class play a role in assigning the play’s characters with their own sense of individuality. Living in such an unaccepting world, at times it can be hard to find your true self. Throughout Tony Kushner’s play “Angels in America”, there are quite a few characters who have trouble accepting themselves for who they really are. Whether it is striving for a new identity, or being limited by one according to social standards. It’s safe to say that Kushner’s “Angels in America”, is one of the most famous plays to explore the topic of homosexuality. Joe 's character represents

He also is a closeted homosexual. He has a high political power; this is the cause of him not being openly gay. The homosexual community has little power, and this scares him. He is obsessed with the amount of power that he has, and he will not lose that. This is where politics come into play, being a “right wing” conservative he is supposed to generally opposed to gay marriage. He is in a good political position and knows that coming out could risk losing power, and this is terrifying for him. He changed the label of his diagnosis from AIDS, to liver cancer to avoid losing the respect of people who are above him. The impression that homosexuals are nobodies is a great example of how identity politics or other things pressure people into becoming tied down by lies. The identities of people and their true selves is often hidden under the identity of what they are compelled to show others. Homosexuality is only one of the many things that can keep people from exposing their genuine identity. Throughout the novel many characters are diagnosed with AIDS. The first five cases of AIDS were initially reported in June of 1981. AIDS has taken the lives of 636,000 Americans. In 1992, there were 250,0000 reported cases of AIDS. Of those 250,000 cases 200,000 had died. A more recent study in 2004, there were 1,000,000 reported cases, only 500,000 had died. It is still decreasing today. Gay or bisexual men make up the

Prior is openly gay, and does not lie about his HIV status. Even though living the life he does, must be very difficult in the world he lives in, he makes the most of what he has. He has a good sense of humor about what is happening to him, even though he is dying, he tries to help other people too. The way that he is openly gay and HIV positive helps Harper. She learns to accept the fact that Joe likes men. Prior and Harper are going through almost the same situation here, they both love unfaithful men. It just so happens that both of the men they love, get together. Belize is also an openly homosexual man; he is a nurse who treats AIDS patients. The both of them do not try to pretend to be anything but who they really are. These characters can be an inspiration to people to show their true identity, even if you will be judged for it. Living in a homophobic society, being homosexual can a never ending task. Prior and Belize do not want to change themselves just to keep a good reputation and to fit into the standards of the society they live in. It may be a frightening thought to show your genuine identity, when you aren’t accepted in the society you live in but that doesn’t mean you should hide it. Everyone should love the way they are, regardless of what others think or how you will be looked at by