How are Kushner´s characters in "Angels in America" dealing with the new challenges in the changing postmodern world of the 1980s? Which position does the play take towards the ambivalence of progress? These questions are now to be analysed in the following term paper. Therefore the two positions contra and pro progress are closely examined and carefully weighed up against each other. Not to go beyond the scope of this term paper, only the main points of the notion of progress in "Angels in America" are worked out and exemplary substantiated.
"[Y]our ambivalent about everything", Belize characterizes Louis suitably in one of their discussions about politics and society. As this quotation is linked to one character of Tony Kushner´s "Angels in America", which consists of the two books called "Millenium Approaches" and "Perestroika", one could surely transfer this statement to the whole play. Ambivalence plays a main role within the drama and consequently throws up many significant questions. One of them deals with the notion of progress. Kushner takes up the theme of progress and throws light on its ambivalent character.
Progress, especially in today´s postmodern era, can be connected to something positive, considering the amount of knowledge and new technologies, which make life easier. Moreover personal progress implies strive for improvement, which is inherent in every human being. Nevertheless a progressing world is a world in which things are getting faster and often uncontrollable. Traditions and old values die, while individualisation and isolation grow, which leads to the rise of uncertainty.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: The ambivalence of progress
2. The desire to stop progress
2.1.The Angels reaction on human progress: “You must stop moving!”
2.2.Moral degeneration: “This is not a good world.”
3. Progress as something deeply human
3.1.Prior´s reaction on the Angel: “We can´t just stop.”
3.2.Progress as chance for change: “The Great Work Begins.”
4. Conclusion: Progress into what?
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the ambivalent notion of progress in Tony Kushner’s "Angels in America," analyzing how the play’s characters navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing postmodern world. The study contrasts the anti-progressive, stagnant positions of certain characters with the potential for personal growth and societal transformation, ultimately arguing that Kushner frames progress as a painful but necessary journey toward self-actualization and community.
- The ambivalent character of progress in the 1980s postmodern era.
- The tension between the desire to hold onto tradition versus the inevitability of change.
- The moral consequences of resisting or embracing societal and personal evolution.
- The significance of loss and individual agency in the process of personal development.
- The analysis of key characters (Prior, Louis, Harper, Roy, Joe) as metaphors for different responses to progress.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. The Angel´s reaction on human progress: “You must stop moving!” (178)
Reading the book for the first time, the position of the Angel is dominant and clearly understandable. “You must stop moving!” (178), is the central and unmistakable message of the heavenly creature. Prior Walter, a homosexual suffering from AIDS, is chosen as a prophet to help the Angel “a great error correct” (68). For a better understanding of the Angel´s totally anti-progressive position, their situation in paradise is analysed in the following.
Heaven is “supposed to look like San Francisco” (253) as Prior explains to Harper, but it is not like today´s San Francisco on earth, which Prior describes as “unspeakable beautiful” (254). Quite contrary: Heaven´s city stood still in time since “the Great 1906 Quake” (252) which left paradise destroyed, devastated and dreary. It is definitely the opposite of how people imagine paradise. The Great Earthquake in 1906 was also the point of time when “The King of the Universe” (177) decided to leave the world and “did not return”(177). The reason for God´s abandonment is humanity itself. Because of their “Potential for Change” (175) the “Virus of TIME began” (175). God created human beings which are able to change, to move forward and with the realization of this potential, human progress started. At first this got manifest as “tremors in Heaven” (176) but with progress getting faster, migration starting and science getting increasingly important, these tremors intensified and were noticeable as earthquakes or rather as “heavenquakes” (176). “Bewitched by Humanity, [and] in Mortifying imitation” (176/177) God started to “sail off on Voyages” (177) himself, while leaving heaven and his Angels to their fate. Only God is the motor of heaven and the Angels are “unable to progress without his guidance”. To get Him back the Angle´s plan is to stop progress, which gets obvious when She says to Prior: “YOU HAVE DRIVEN HIM AWAY! YOU MUST STOP MOVING!” (178).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The ambivalence of progress: This chapter introduces the central theme of ambivalence regarding progress in Kushner's work, highlighting the tension between technological advancement and the loss of values.
2. The desire to stop progress: This section analyzes the anti-progressive stance of the Angel and the moral decay exemplified by characters like Roy and Joe, who attempt to resist change.
3. Progress as something deeply human: This chapter discusses the positive, necessary aspects of progress, focusing on how characters like Prior, Louis, and Harper undergo transformative journeys.
4. Conclusion: Progress into what?: The conclusion summarizes the paper's findings, suggesting that while the future remains uncertain, Kushner advocates for embracing change and the creation of new communities.
5. Bibliography: This section lists the academic sources and texts cited throughout the analysis.
Keywords
Angels in America, Tony Kushner, Progress, Ambivalence, Postmodernism, AIDS, Moral Degeneration, Stasis, Transformation, Personal Growth, Identity, History, Change, Community, Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the notion of progress within Tony Kushner’s two-part play "Angels in America," analyzing how the theme is presented as both an inevitable force and an ambivalent, sometimes painful, experience.
What are the central themes addressed in the analysis?
The main themes include the conflict between tradition and transition, the moral responsibilities of the individual, the impact of AIDS on social and personal life, and the necessity of embracing an unknown future.
What is the main objective of the author?
The objective is to demonstrate that despite the inherent dangers and uncertainties of progress, Kushner’s play ultimately asserts that facing change is essential for a fulfilling life and the formation of community.
Which methodology is applied in this research?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, closely examining specific dialogue and characters to contrast pro-progress and anti-progress positions within the narrative.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body is divided into two primary sections: one examining characters who resist progress and fall into moral decay, and another focusing on characters who undergo positive personal growth through the acceptance of change.
Which keywords best describe this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as postmodernism, identity, moral degeneration, stasis, transformation, and the specific literary context of Kushner's work.
Why is the "Angel" considered a symbol of anti-progress in this play?
The Angel is interpreted as a figure representing a desire to stop time and movement, motivated by the fear of loss and the longing to restore a past order where God provided absolute guidance.
How do characters like Roy and Joe serve as negative examples?
They represent the stagnation of old, unfair power structures; by denying their true identities and resisting change, they ultimately fail and descend into isolation, illustrating the hazards of avoiding personal truth.
What role does the "Great Work" play in the conclusion?
The phrase symbolizes the ongoing, multifaceted process of finding meaning and footing in a changing world, suggesting that progress is not a final destination but an active, necessary human endeavor.
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- Sarah Wenzel (Autor:in), 2011, The Notion of Progress in Kushner´s "Angels in America", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/471469
