Homosexuality and Its Time

Angels in America by Tony Kushner first premiered in 1991. Although, the play was set in 1985-86, the year of its debut was one that was an earthshattering year for AIDS history. Not only were two cases presented of AIDS being contracted from a dentist, but this was the year that Freddie Mercury confirmed he had AIDS - and died the next day. At the end of 1991, nearly 450,000 cases of AIDS were reported to the World Health Organization and the end of this year also marked the red ribbon as a global symbol for the syndrome. Angels In America was a staple of its period, as it was opening the doors even wider for the exposure to this deadly illness that was becoming an epidemic.

A more chilling report came from The New York Times, where they were quotes as reporting, "Some experts are sceptical that AIDS will spread as rapidly among heterosexuals as it has among homosexuals. Yet other experts, taking their cues from data emerging from preliminary studies from Africa showing equal sex distribution among males and females, are less sure," in an article published in 1985. The equailvalency of knowledge that was attained from the years 1985-1986 was not as cohesive as it was during Kushner's debut; however, Kushner's decision to re-examine AIDS almost a decade prior was enough to bring about an immense level of controversy. Not only was AIDS a large theme of Angels in America, but so was homosexuality. One of the more taboo topics was Joe's heterosexual marriage, upon later realizing he is actually gay. The exposure to this problem was so new during this time period that, although I am speaking free from research at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if this was something that sparked somewhat a movement within closeted homosexuals who were settling with heterosexual marriages.

The one thing that struck me was how closeminded some of the characters were to accepting homosexuality. The problem is that many people believe it is a choice, rather than something you are born automatically knowing and feeling but later on in life realizing. And Joe's mother, Harper, was a good indication of how many mothers, wives, and sisters often feel about those who go out on the limb to "come out". Angels in America was an amazing interpretation of how difficult it is to battle with self-identity and health crises without the additional pressure and criticism that they have to deal with from their families.

A "fantasia" is defined by Merriam-Webster as:
1: a free usually instrumental composition not in strict form
2 a: a work (as a poem or play) in which the author's fancy roves unrestricted
b: something possessing grotesque, bizarre, or unreal qualities

Although, all three of the aforementioend definitions can be attributed, the definition that I feel best describes what Kushner was trying to relay in his title for the play was the one possessing bizarre or unreal qualities. There were several dream sequences, due to drug-enduced states of mind, that were strategically placed throughout the first and second parts. One of the most outstanding sequences was when Prior meets Harper and Harper realizes that her husband is gay. Prior is more of a symbolic character who appears to Harper as the person who initially "ruins" her life. These are the on-going challenges and themes that Kushner exposes his audience to.

Two or Three Things I Know for Sure

Two or Three Things I Know For Sure by Dorothy Allison is one of the easiest and most enjoyable reads thus far for this semester. It is full of insight that creates an understanding of learning about one's self and becoming one with your inner being. As corny as it may sound, I was enlightened by Allison's writing and wanted more. One of the quotes that stuck out to me was, “Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is that if we are not beautiful to each other, we cannot know beauty in any form." This quote particularly stuck out to me because of it's applicability in everyday life. If it's one thing I've learned 'for sure', it's that without being true to yourself, you cannot be true to anyone else. Falsifying your personality only attracts those who are fake with you. And though it may seem cliche, Allison's quote is incredibly true. Everything starts with you! I know Allison's literature may not have been intentionally written as a self-help, but this was what I got as an overall message from Two or Three Things I know For Sure.



As Two or Three Things I know For Sure was written as a memoir in regards to the women in Allison's life, I feel it cannot be compared to the memoir that Richard Rodriguez has written. The reason being due to such different lives and outlooks on life, in general. Rodriguez exudes a tone that is more of reprimand for the family that he grew into, whereas Allison exudes a positive tone and takes the experiences from her past and makes them relay a message that doesn't leave the reader wondering "why does she seem so negative?" or "I don't see the reason in making the situation negative."

I wanted to have more insight on what other readers though about her 94 page memoir, so I went online to google some reviews and it was very hit or miss. Some readers were moved by her memoirs and her ability to relate her life situations to that of her family's and others were left wanting to know more. A good majority of the reviews I came across on Amazon.com specified that they thought perhaps she engaged her personal experiences more throughout her fictional pieces. Although, I was engaged throughout her memoirs, I was left wanting more, as well. 94 pages of an account that sometimes had nothing to do with Dorothy Allison made it seem like it was written in such a short period that she barely had time to include her own personal accounts as well. It's hard to tell. Maybe the shortness is what Allison wanted - a purposely done account to create a mystery on her as a person and an author. A tease - if you will - to get readers to purchase her other pieces of works to find some kind of personal account that is lacking in Two or Three Things I Know for Sure.

Although, I can only imagine how hard it was for Allison to write about the sexual abuse that she opens a window to peer into. Perhaps, the shortness of the memoir was just enough and all that Allison felt the need to share with the world. On p. 3 of the memoirs, Allison remarks that the retelling of her story is meant to help her move forward and break from the barriers her past has put her through and held her back. These pages give Allison the chance to forewarn her readers that her past is common and though for some, it can be defining moment, she will not let it destroy her character. Her story is truly inspiring, but I wish there was something more.