Millennium Approaches 1.5
Summary
The relationships between Joe and Harper, as well as Louis and Prior begin to fall apart. Joe and Harper discuss moving to Washington. While Joe wishes to make the move, Harper is scared of change. Joe tells Harper that he is tired of being chief clerk and wants to go where something good is happening. Harper tells Joe that she feels like nothing good happens in Washington. Again in a valium induced mentality, Harper compares their apartment to the one in Rosemary's Baby and claims Georgetown was the town of The Exorcist. Meanwhile, Louis is thinking of leaving Prior and questions the Rabbi about the Holy Writ and the consequences of leaving a loved one in time of need. Joe and Harper continue conversation, he is speaking openly about his hopes for the republican government led by Reagan. Harper does not want to hear politics. Harper suggest they have a baby but Joe rejects this idea. Now Harper suggest that the world is coming to an end. Joe is at home with his wife Harper. Joe dicusses with Harper about going to Washington. Harper did not want to hear of it. Joe was tried of being the lowest paid on the pole, only twenty-nine dollars a year. Joe wants to go to bigger and higher places. Harper still did not agree on the move to Washingtion.
Notes
- Rosemary's Baby (30)- a 1967 horror novelby Ira Levin and a 1968 film directed by Roman Polański
- The Exorcist (30)- a novel written by William Peter Blatty.Published in 1971. Blatty also wrote the screenplay for the horror film in 1973.
- Holy Writ (31)- Sacred writings: Religious Text: The Christian Bible.
Commentary
Study Questions
- According to Harper what is Washington D.C.?
- Why does Joe want to make some changes?
- What reasons does Harper give for staying in Brooklyn?
- What movie does Harper compare their apartment to in Brooklyn?
- What movie does Harper compare Georgetown to?
- What quote does the Rabbi tell Louis and what is it from?
- According to the Rabbi Catholics believe in _____and Jews believe in_______?
- How long has Joe worked as a chief clerk?
- Why did Joe tell Harper that she should'nt listen to the radio all the time?
External Resources
Works Cited
Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1995.