Angels in America

Angels in America

by

Tony Kushner

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Angels in America makes teaching easy.

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches: Act 3, Scene 6 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Prior wakes up in his apartment to find Prior I and Prior II standing over him, illuminated by flames. They tell Prior that “tonight’s the night”—the night that “she” arrives.
Kushner has taken a long time building up to this moment—the moment that Prior receives his glorious prophecy, surrounded by his ancestors.
Themes
Prophets and Prophecies Theme Icon
Fantasy, Escape, and Tragedy Theme Icon
Prior angrily tells his ancestors, “fuck off!” Instead, Prior I and Prior II urge Prior to dance. They tell Prior to close his eyes. When Prior opens his eyes, he finds Louis standing before him. Louis asks Prior to dance with him—Prior refuses, thinking that Louis must be a ghost. Louis tells Prior that he’s spent all day wishing he could be with Prior. Amazed, Prior gets out of bed and begins dancing with Louis. As Louis and Prior dance, Prior I and Prior II agree that they don’t like it here in the 20th century—they disappear.
In this poignant moment, we see the restorative power of fantasy and fiction. Louis and Prior are separated by AIDS, and yet they’re free to enjoy each other’s company in their dreams. This raises an interesting question—whose fantasy is this, Louis’s or Prior’s, or both? Part of what’s so unique about Kushner’s idea of fantasy is that it can be shared; here, it’s as if both Prior and Louis are dreaming of their reunion.
Themes
Homosexuality in the AIDS Era Theme Icon
Prophets and Prophecies Theme Icon
Progressivism, Conservatism, and Change Theme Icon
Fantasy, Escape, and Tragedy Theme Icon
The Clash between People and Principles Theme Icon
Quotes