Political Views on Angels in America

Fallen Angels in America Tony Kushner's play Angels in America was set in the 1980s, amid Ronald Reagan's administration. Many people believe that this play is political, since we hear a significant amount about Reagan. Additionally, his administration has been largely criticized for its negligence toward the AIDS crisis. Furthermore, numerous LGBT activists have blamed Reagan for overlooking the epidemic since it was thought to be, for the most part, a disease that primarily affected gay men and, perhaps not surprising, African Americans. Although, Tony Kushner's Angels in America primarily focused on the AIDS epidemic in the United States, Kushner masterfully used themes of political, racial, religious, hopelessness and whiteness, to unload the more profound complexities inside the political views of the LGBTQ development

Due to the rapidly changing America, in his farewell address, Ronald Reagan expresses the need for unification of America, and America’s culture. In Reagan’s address, he uses many rhetorical devices to advance his purpose of unifying America, for instance, Reagan utilizes tone, syntax, and pathos to portray his pride, hopefulness, and patriotism for America. He uses these devices to show Americans of the unification America needs.

President Ronald Reagan’s speech “A Time for Choosing” was my selection for this assignment. Prior to his presidential election, Ronald Reagan was catapulted forward in his career by his motivational speech later titled by some simply as “The Speech”. At the time, Regan had recently changed from a long-standing Democrat to a Republican. Although his speech was unable to prevent President Lyndon Johnson’s ultimate win, it was very memorable due to the emotionally powerful and deeply moving presentation. Creating an unknown, yet powerful pull for his inevitable position as President. By conveying his points with such an emotional drive, “A Time for Choosing” became one of the most important speeches of his career. The soon to be President delivered this speech with strong words many Americans were not prepared to hear but came to accept. A speech that created many questions and provided many answers managed to express a level of emotion that seemed urgently calm. As one of President Reagans greatest speeches “A Time for Change” provided the world with a preview of a President in the making.

Politics in the U.S. during the 1980’s were exciting. Much like everything else during this decade, politics were changing and making a new way for economic development and social construct. Policy in the 1980’s were both huge on foreign policy, and domestic development. The cold war, being the main concern with foreign policy, consisted of Communism versus Democracy, or Socialism versus Capitalism. President Reagan being the face of America and our Commander and Chief, created “Reaganomics,” which fought for small Government, and utilized Government spending in a way that would effectively establish National Security as well as make a name for himself as being known as one of the most popular presidents in United State’s history. Though these issues took place some thirty years ago, it is safe to say that the tribulations we faced as a nation in the eighties have directly affected society in 2015.

Although he was a generally controversial president, Ronald Reagan’s policy decisions to stimulate economic prosperity, known as Reaganomics, were legitimately beneficial to the United States of America. First, in order to substantiate the success of Reagan’s economic policy decisions one must first grasp the varying levels of importance for each aspect of his plan. As Reagan’s policies were substantial decisions that defined his presidency and alienated an entire population of more economically liberal people, it makes sense that an understanding of his emphasis on certain decisions would lead to a more persuasive argument. Next, the negation of well formed and logical criticisms of Reagan’s economic policies also lend to the support of their benefits and success. Acknowledging a sensible counterargument and addressing specific points of critical analysis serves to further enhance the argument for the success of Reagan’s decisions. Furthermore, strong economic growth and the curbing of federal domestic power reinforce the accomplishments of Reaganomics. Though the U.S. did see economic growth, Reaganomics was not purely an economic plan, as cuts in government power, not including the military, benefitted the average American citizen. Moreover, Ronald Reagan’s economic decisions regarding Soviet foreign policy were also extremely beneficial to the United States. The tough decisions to further the national deficit proved a worthy sacrifice in pressuring the collapse

The election of 1980 marked a ‘new political era’ that was ushered in by President Reagan and that followed on through the presidencies of George H. W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton. These presidents were inaugurated at different times and succeeded the successes and the failures of their predecessors. Having came from different political backgrounds and having unique political and social beliefs, Bush, Reagan, and Clinton can only be analyzed through their foreign policies, domestic policies, achievements as well as shortcomings, and legacies.

From where did the vigor of the 1980’s come? 1980 to 1989 was a period in the United States which spurred hope for the economy and in the spirits of the people. The 1980’s were a decade of the American people standing together in tragedy and rejoicing with each other in victory. In 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the decade and an age of an oppression overseas. America cheered for the freedom of her brothers and sisters in Germany. One highlight of the 1980’s was the substantial growth of the economy through Reaganomics, President Reagan’s principles of economics. In television, the show Family Ties depicted an average family at the time, who supported each other despite their wide range of beliefs and ideals. Why was this time in America so great? The people of the nation believed in her, and America gave her people reason to believe.

“One nation under God, indivisible” (Bellamy) is a motto that is lived by Americans every single day. Americans are a united force that can not be broken apart and will do anything for other fellow Americans. From the use of heart wrenching pathos in Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and The Quilt of a Country: Out of Many, One? by Anna Quindlen to the immaculate lighting in the beautifully famous painting George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, we can see that American people will always unite and stick as one. Americans will stick together after a horrendous event has occurred or when there is beauty to rejoice about.

America faced its greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Greatly influenced by his devout Christian mother, she taught him that the most important knowledge concerned right and wrong. Reagan believed there was a Devine plan and purpose for everyone. His mother taught him to see the best in people, to help those less fortunate, and to keep an optimistic attitude even in tough situations. Reagan had a deep faith in God and belief in the fundamentals of Christianity (D’Souza 26, 38-39, 214). The way he related to people made them feel like he was their friend (Noonan 171). He stood firm on the moral issue of abortion and voiced his beliefs when he stated that it was a “…wound in our national conscience” (D’Souza 212). Reagan believed in Americans working in unity. Citizens should be a part of communities that work together to improve their lives. In fact, he praised people that voluntary supported “…church, charity, culture, art and education” with gifts (D’Souza 117). At the beginning of his presidency, Reagan challenged Americans to "begin an era of national renewal” (The Reagan Presidency).

Ronald Wilson Reagan, February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004 was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Prior to his presidency, he was the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, following a career as a Hollywood actor and union leader. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan) Reagan also served in the U.S. Army during World War Two achieving the rank of Lieutenant But due to his eyesight he was stationed stateside, creating training films. I chose this speech because of the topics he touches on. Not only the past but also the future.

Within modern society when a character strays away from what society depicts as morally right, the individual is frowned upon as if he or she doesn't belong. In “Angels in America” a gay fantasia on National themes, characters struggle to be themselves upon fear of whether or not society will accept them as an individual. The characters not only struggles with whether or not society will accept them, but they also struggle with their inner demons, and ultimately the question of what is truly good or evil. In this paper several characters will be analyzed and discussed from several different viewpoints.

Most of the characters in Tony Kushner's Angels in America struggle with their sexuality. Reflected in this struggle, the homosexual characters are flawed to the degree at which they hide their sexuality. Prior, Belize, Louis, Joe, and Roy all deal with this issue in the course of the play. Prior is the least closeted homosexual while Roy is the most. Prior is chosen to be a prophet, is morally upright, and represents good. Roy, the unlawful lawyer, represents evil. Belize, Louis, and Joe fall in between Prior and Roy on the scale. By having these particular characters represent what they do, Tony Kushner places a negative stigma on those in the closet and emphasizes his negative opinion on closeted homosexuals.

Reagan, Ronald. “The Evil Empire.” Orlando, Fl. 8 March 1983. Speech. American Rhetoric. 2008. Web. Page numbers 1-8. 20 September 2013.

Silence plays a role in society and people are limited by the words they say. People have a fear of being judged or rejected by society. Tony Kushner juxtaposes Harper and Prior to show people who are silent about their pain ruins their relationship because of their own personal experiences. In Angels of America, Harper is presented as an unstable mormon with emotional problems. On the other hand, Prior is presented as a homosexual in the 1980’s.

“E pluribus unum - Out of many, one.” Coined by Virgil, this renowned statement was incorporated into United States history by Thomas Jeffers0n, who jointly wrote the Declaration of Independence. Such a statement represents an overcoming of political, social, and economic discord and the confluence of disparity in America today—a melting pot. However, the road to achieving this sense of unity was tumultuous and challenging, especially with the threat of dissonance amidst the plethora of mingling immigrants and political factions. Nonetheless, America has sustained the principles established in the Declaration of Independence and has successfully endured the chaos of countless conflicts and overwhelming political chaos to emerge as One Nation, under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All, as demonstrated by its triumphs over sectional disagreements, injustices to liberty, and eventual freedom for minorities such as women and slaves.