Millennium Approaches 1.8

From LitWiki

Summary

Harper and Joe are at home and Louis and Prior are in bed. Harper questions Joe about where he has been and tells him in a round about way that she has burnt his supper on purpose. Joe blames their marital problems on Harper taking pills while Harper confronts Joe about their sexual problems and wants him to confess to her that he is a homosexual. When Joe does not confess, she finally asks him if he is a homosexual, which Joe denies at that time by saying “ I am a very good man who has worked very hard to become good and you want to destroy that” (46).

Prior tells Louis that he has two new lesions and his illness is getting worse. Louis asks Prior ”what if I walked out on this? Would you hate me forever?” (46). Prior responds by saying yes and Louis begs him not to get any sicker than he is, as if he has control over his illness.

Notes

Commentary

Study Questions

1. What did Harper do to Joe's dinner?

2. Where did Joe tell Harper he was?

3. What is Joe's excuse for not having sex with Harper?

4. What does Louis ask Prior abouttheir relationship?

5. What does Harper confess to Joe?

External Resources

Works Cited

Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1995.


Millennium Approaches Act 1 Scene 9