What is the purpose of the Angel subplot in Angels in America?

[Fantod]

So I watch the HBO miniseries every February, and while I find the play very touching and a great work, I still am confused by the significance of the angel. What does she represent and why is she important to the play? What is Kushner trying to say through her character? Thanks for the help.

[Huss417]

Doesn't she represent the Angel of Death?

[theatremom2]

As I recall, there is a lot about abandoment, change and survival in this. God abandons heaven and the angles and they think if they have a new prophet, he will come back. (The scene where Roy Cohen volunteers to represent God in Family Court is hysterical, but I don't remember it being in the TV series). It kind of counterpoints what is happening to the human charcters. Prior is offered peace and eternal life if he just stops moving but "we were born to be explorers". You would have to write a thesis to explain this thing- and I'm sure many have. No matter what you say it seems an over simplification. The angels are glorious but stagnant. Humans, not so much, but ever changing.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I think you need to rethink your definition of "subplot." The Angel is the plot. I also don't think the Angel represents one thing, Kushner's writing is too complex for that type of reading.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

It was originally called In America, but Kushner disliked the title. When he added the Angels to the title he added one to the script.

[CarlosAlberto]

^ My favorite post of the day.

[Jane2]

I also thought the Angel was many things - savior, prophet, teacher, etc. but not only for Prior,I thought it was interesting that the Angel sexually fulfilled Hannah.

[theatremom2]

Interesting. Did the angels bring along the whole 'prophet' aspect? The angels make it so much more universal. And that piece about the Angel Bethesda is amazing. I don't think the play would have gained the statue it has without them

[JoeKv99]

The Angel is there to give you chills when it says "look up!"

[GavestonPS]

In addition to points made above, the Angel is a Mormon reference, since Joseph Smith claimed that angels revealed the Book of Mormon and translated it for him.

Even in the OT, angels are the bearer of news (such as the one that appeared to Mary to announce she would have a child). The idea was that God Himself is too overwhelming to be viewed directly by humans, so he appears as a burning bush or sends angels to offer revelations.

It's true that in PERESTROIKA, the angel seems to be working on her own, but that was written years after the angel first appeared in MILLENNIUM.

[tazber]

Even in the OT, angels are the bearer of news (such as the one that appeared to Mary to announce she would have a child).

Well that's in the NT, but I get your point.

Doesn't she even say that she is a messenger at one point?

Now I want to pull out my dvd and watch it again.

[FindingNamo]

Y'all know the angel's not real, right?

[Fantod]

Yes, FindingNamo, I was fairly certain that the angel wasn't real, but I was just confused on the literary significance of the character. You have all been very helpful; thank you.

[theatremom2]

If she was real, poor Prior would never get his damage deposit back from the landlord

[HorseTears]

Wait. Why do you watch ANGELS IN AMERICA every February??

[Fantod]

I don't really know, but it just happened three years in a row accidentally (because I always get the urge to watch it about once a year) and last year when I realized I had spaced it out by exactly a year every time, I just decided to make it a thing. Every year my appreciations and frustrations with the work increase.

[HorseTears]

I'm relieved to hear you say it's not a Valentine's tradition. I have never seen a stage production, but I tend to find the miniseries a mixed bag. There are so many moving and funny moments throughout, but there's also so much speechifying - which, I'm sure was captivating in the theatre - but which weighs everything down in a film. Even if one had no idea about the source material, it would be so obvious this was a stage work adapted (sort of) for the screen.

[Fantod]

That is exactly, like 100%, how I feel about the miniseries. I still think it's hilarious that Meryl Streep is the Rabbi at the beginning. Also, Prior Walter is one of my favorite characters in any movie, tv show, book, or play ever.

[FindingNamo]

You should see Prior NOT played by Justin Kirk.

[wonderfulwizard11]

I'm with HorseTears- yes, the miniseries certainly has its moments, but seeing the show live is an all together different and better experience. And actually, in relation to the Angel, the recent production at BAM cut quite a bit of the Angel and totally deleted the Council scene except for Prior's monologue. While some of the other cuts in the show stung (how I missed Prior's speech at the end) this one didn't bother me, and I actually enjoyed the 2nd Act more than I usually do.

[Fantod]

FindingNamo, do you not like Justin Kirk in the miniseries?

[HorseTears]

I liked Justin Kirk, but like I said, the miniseries is my sole ANGELS experience. I wish Center Theatre Group would mount a major revival.

[theatremom2]

I agree the Counsel scene goes on some. But isn't that where he gives back the book, denounces God's abandonment, and chooses life '..but still, still bless me anyway I want more life'. Thats the turning point of the play. I can't imagine it being cut

[wonderfulwizard11]

That whole speech was there- honestly, I think it's one of the most important in the play. But all the I-I-I business was cut.

[darquegk]

I think declaring the angel "real" or "not real" oversimplifies. The piece is written very deliberately in a magical-realist style. The same rules do not necessarily apply as to standard realism or metaphorical treatment.

Magical-realism has never been big in the English-speaking world. It's much more strongly associated with Latin America and with Scandinavia. "Angels in America" may be the only major, canonical magical-realist work originally written in English.