Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes

The first play begins with a rabbi, who is eulogizing at Sarah Ironson’s funeral. He describes Judaism as something fundamental that passes through families like blood, regardless of whether Sarah’s descendants observe customs and rituals. Most of the characters in the play are connected to a major organized religion. The different religions in the play are represented as variations on law and doctrine—frameworks of rules. Louis doesn’t practice Judaism, but he seeks advice from the rabbi on how he can leave Louis without guilt. Joe denies his sexuality because Mormons are not allowed to be gay. Religion also provides automatic community and built-in identity. The rabbi barely knew Sarah, but he speaks about her because he knows her in a deeper sense as a fellow Jewish immigrant. Joe, Harper, and Hannah have a community in Salt Lake City that will accept them (as long as they follow the rules), and Hannah locates herself in New York by finding the Mormon Visitor’s Center. Religious identity is also enmeshed with political identity. Joe’s Mormonism bolsters his conservative ideals as well as his incorruptible image, which Roy tries to use to his advantage. For Roy, his Jewish identity gave his conservative politics authenticity since he had to sacrifice his place in the Jewish community.