Why do gays travel to such extremities to live in a society where they live in denial about their sexuality? Angels in America, a play by Tony Kushner, represents the the crude awakening of the reality homosexuals had to face. This play not only represents the deteriorating disease of AIDS, but it is also a dramatic play that critically gives an answer to thousands of Americans who lived a cruel reality. A reality in which they questioned the difficulty in living in a society that particularity objected to the views of homosexuality. Kushner displays his views towards two characters who struggle facing inner anguish and public torment. Sadly, being homosexual in America, especially during the 1980s where gay-bashing is prime, is a society that looks down upon gays. By the setting of the play being in New York City, where all sorts of cultures interface one another, proves that everyone comes in contact with homosexuality. The religious and political forces that set the mood of the play represents the drive the characters to act the way they do and make the choices they make.
Roy Cohn and Joe pitt represent the stereotypical gay men who refuse to announce their sexual orientation. Kushner illustrates these two characters as men who go to extreme measures to deny their homosexuality. Sadly, they not only lie to others , but they are unfaithful to themselves. To justify the characters actions and decisions relies upon the utmost fear they display throughout the play. Fear of being taunted from others on how they view them. Fear of being known as a minority in this vast society. In Roy Cohn's action, he is fears to the destroying of his well connected job, a lawyer. Roy says, Homosexuals are men who know nobody and who nobody knows. Who have zero clout. Does this sound like me, Henry?(51). Roy is a well known, ruthless lawyer, who is afraid with the fact that his clout might be destroyed if he were to ever come public with his sexuality. He is fearful when he is confronted about his sexuality and denies every bit of it. He is strained with the thought of himself being labeled as a homosexual. He rejects, Roy Cohn is not a homosexual. Roy Cohn is a heterosexual man, Henry, who fucks around with guys(52). He further rationalizes himself by lying to his doctor and refusing to be known as a homosexual. He tries to cover up his sexuality when given the news that he has AIDS. His denials and rationalizations continue when he says, No, Henry, no. AIDS is what homosexuals have. I have liver cancer(52). Even when Roy's life is at risk, he still continues to deny that he is gay. This proves to show that Roy would rather die with people knowing he was a great lawyer than being truthful to himself. He tries to manipulate his own thoughts and feelings just like he influences his own doctor. Rather than facing reality, Roy hides away in fear.
On the other hand, Joe pitt is an unhappy Mormon who is married to a sedated wife. He constantly lies to his wife about where he is and what he is doing. Unfortunately, his marriage is crumbling down quickly through lack of communication and intimacy. Though these factors are not only the causes of his deteriorating relationship, his secrecy of his homosexuality becomes a problem. His wife confronts him with wanting to know the truth, he responds, Does it make any difference? That I might be one thing deep within, no matter how wrong or ugly that thing is, so long as I have fought, with everything I have to kill it...Im a shell(46). It can be very uneasy to tell someone the truth, especially a loved one, after they have been lying to them for years. Joe shows his inner anguish to do the right thing by keeping his secret because he knows it will hurt his wife. He is fearful towards his wife's reaction and struggles with admitting the truth thus relieving himself. Knowing that he was gay ever since he was little, he refuses to succumb to the truth because of his religious background. Mormonism strictly disbelieves in the gay community deriving Joe being reluctant of coming out of the closet. He dares not to go against the views of Mormonism. He concludes, As long as my behavior is what I know has to be. Decent. Correct. That alone in the eyes of God(46). Joe knows that if he were to ever come publicly known for being a homosexual that he will be rejected from the Mormon community, his mother, and his wife.
Homosexual men are a minority, and like any minority there is prejudice against them. Kushner focuses on prejudice through these two characters and how it affects their decisions through everyday life. He proves that gay men are not immensely different than any other man. The only difference is their sexuality, and that part of any person is no one else's business. Homosexuals and heterosexuals both feel love when in relationships, and it shouldnt matter to anyone how they perceive love. A person's sexual behavior is only left in the bedroom in the privacy of their own house and should not be discussed in public forum. Neither heterosexuals nor homosexuals are better than the other. Yes, they dont believe in the same things but that doesnt make one superior over the other. Until society as a whole makes a conscious effort to accept gay men and all minorities, prejudice will still exist and be a part of us all. No one has the right to judge another person.
The preceding actions of Roy Cohn and Joe Pitt relate to many others in real life. Kushner has been adequate in showing that a person's sexuality does not affect their ability and is only a small aspect of their overall character. His two main characters are different and have complicated lives, but they are both the same in their disguised sexuality. Rather than facing reality, they both hide away in fear. Gay men live in denial based off of fear. They are afraid they will be abandoned by friends and family. To them, it is not a matter of sexuality but a matter of how they are seen in the public's eye. There is no shame in being who you are, but there is shame in letting fear control your life.
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