The American Theater of Change. Images of the Past in Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" and Arthur Miller's "The Crucible"

Table of Contents

• I. The American Theater of Change - An Introduction
• II. The American Settlement and Colonial History
  • 2.1 An Overview
  • 2.2 Arthur Miller's Salem
    • 2.2.1 Prevailing Themes in The Crucible
    • 2.2.2 The People of Salem
    • 2.2.3 The Villainy of Abigail Williams
    • 2.2.4 Miller's Changes
  • 2.3 Early America according to Tony Kushner
  • 2.4 Summary
• III. The Age of McCarthyism
  • 3.1 Cold-War America
    • 3.1.1 The Political Landscape
    • 3.1.2 The Crisis of American Masculinity
  • 3.2 "Is the accuser always holy now?" - McCarthyism in The Crucible
    • 3.2.1 Parallels between Salem and McCarthyism
    • 3.2.2 Misremembering history
  • 3.3 "A Saint of the Right": Roy Cohn
    • 3.3.1 Kushner's Roy
  • 3.4 Summary
• IV. The Administration of Ronald Reagan
  • 4.1 Dr. Feelgood
  • 4.2 Kushner's America under Reagan
    • 4.2.1 The American Zeitgeist of the 1980s
    • 4.2.2 Family Values
  • 4.3 Summary: Family in The Crucible
• V. The American Religion
  • 5.1 Guilt and Responsibility in The Crucible
  • 5.2 Kushner's Angels
    • 5.2.1 Sexuality and Religion
    • 5.2.2 Judaism and Mormonism
  • 5.3 Summary
• VI. The Reinvention of the American Dream
  • 6.1 Dream or Nightmare?
  • 6.2 Miller's Disillusionment
  • 6.3 Tony Kushner's Message of Interconnectedness
  • 6.4 Summary

Objectives and Key Themes

This academic paper examines the American theater of change through the lens of Tony Kushner's *Angels in America* and Arthur Miller's *The Crucible*, analyzing how these two plays explore different historical periods in America and their lasting impact on the present. The key themes explored in the paper include:

• The significance of history in shaping the American present and future
• The role of political and social movements in shaping American identity
• The intersection of religion, sexuality, and politics in American society
• The evolution and reinvention of the American Dream
• The enduring power of theater as a vehicle for social commentary and historical reflection

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter I: The American Theater of Change - An Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of the "American theater of change" and explores how Tony Kushner's *Angels in America* and Arthur Miller's *The Crucible* represent this idea. It highlights the importance of history in shaping the present and the role of theater as a tool for social commentary and historical reflection.
• Chapter II: The American Settlement and Colonial History: This chapter examines the historical context of early America, focusing on the Salem witch trials and Arthur Miller's play *The Crucible*. It analyzes the play's themes, characters, and Miller's adaptation of historical events.
• Chapter III: The Age of McCarthyism: This chapter investigates the Cold War era and its impact on American society. It explores the parallels between the Salem witch trials and McCarthyism, highlighting the dangers of fear and suspicion.
• Chapter IV: The Administration of Ronald Reagan: This chapter delves into the Reagan era and its influence on American values. It analyzes the role of family, sexuality, and religion in shaping the American zeitgeist of the 1980s.
• Chapter V: The American Religion: This chapter examines the themes of guilt, responsibility, and the intersection of religion and sexuality in both *The Crucible* and *Angels in America*. It explores the role of religion in shaping individual and societal values.
• Chapter VI: The Reinvention of the American Dream: This chapter explores the evolution of the American Dream, analyzing how both plays present different perspectives on its meaning and its impact on individual lives.

Keywords

This paper focuses on the intersection of history, politics, and theater in America, exploring key themes such as the American Dream, social movements, religion, sexuality, and the legacy of McCarthyism. It examines the works of Tony Kushner and Arthur Miller, analyzing their plays *Angels in America* and *The Crucible* as vehicles for social commentary and historical reflection. The study delves into the lasting impact of these plays on American society and their relevance for understanding the present.