A Dysfunctional Woman

In the play Angels In America, the dysfunctional atmosphere of Harper and Joe's relationship evokes a hostile and eerie environment for this couple. Harper, immersed within her hallucinations, regularly swallows Valium pills and seemingly lives a duel life, as seen by the audience. To Joe, Harper is an odd woman, that keeps to herself, in the play thus far. The uniqueness of this play rests in the fact that only the audience is provided insight into Harper's twisted mind. The specific lens that we as readers/audience members can attest to allows us to cope with the lonely life of this woman who is breaking down inside. Her drug-induced hallucinations, present the real dilemmas and desires of Harper. For instance, when Mr. Lies comes to speak to Harper about "getting away" or traveling, a feeling of being trapped and alone is especially absorbed during this scene. The idea of leaving can be reflective of how Harper wishes to escape from herself and the world that she is confined within. Her relationship with Joe is failing as he is always going on long walks without her. In her encounter with an unfamiliar face (to her... not to the audience), Prior, he explains to her that Joe is homosexual. In my own opinion, although she has never met Prior, this is another instance where her feelings and intuitions roam freely, and other individuals are merely the voice that guides her to conclusions and desired fantasies. Toward the end of this act, it is interesting to see this transition from a woman who keeps to herself, to a woman who is confrontational when receiving this news about her spouse being gay. Her reaction contradicts every notion her previous character had imposed upon to the audience. For this reason, her character is complex, as there are still several layers the audience has yet to unfold.