2 Angels in America Questions

[MrMarkCharlieBrownCohen]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:00am

I need some help with one scene between Joe & Harper.

When Joe is talking to Harper he says this line:
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JOE: I think we ought to pray. Ask God for help. Ask him together. Stop it! Stop it! I'm warning you!
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What does the - "Stop it! Stop it! I'm warning you!" part refer to? Is it to something Harper is doing or is it to God to stop his homosexual feelings?


Also, shortly after that he says:
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JOE: As long as my behavior is what I know it has to be. Decent. Correct. That alone in the eyes of God.
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Is there more to the "That alone in the eyes of God." line? It seems like there's something missing.

Thanks in advance!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:08am

I think she's just being spacey and unattentive. She knows he's hiding something, and she's sort of trying to get back at him for it, if I remember correctly. So, yeah, he's talking to Harper.

I don't think there's anything following that, no, but this is merely by memory.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:59am

What's going on is --

Harper knows Joe is gay, has confronted him about it and is refusing to accept his denials anymore, so, short of coming out and admitting his homosexuality (which he's totally not ready to do at that moment), he's trying to find a way to put her off and not have to say the truth (which he's never even said to himself before). He desperately wants her to change the subject (which she won't do) and failing that he asks her to pray with him -- anything to get her to shut up about his sexual orientation. He's panicked and lost and depressed and simply not ready to tell his wife that he's gay -- in fact, he never does.

Updated On: 3/3/06 at 10:59 AM

[Barihunk]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 11:06am

MrMark-

The "Stop it Stop it" is directed at Harper, not God. As Margo pointed out, they are arguing and he desperately wants to change the subject.

I think the words you are looking for to complete "That alone in the eyes of God" are "should be enough". In Kushner's brilliant style, it is implied...

[tcb122]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 11:49am

I did this scene not too long ago- as Joe and I researched Mormonism, and from what got from it- is that the family is VERY VERY important to the faith. And prayer is the answer. I assume youre acting the scene so remember that he DOES love her and he needs her help and the same goes for Harper. He's tried his whole life to "change" and he can't. He has no answers, she's doesn't either- so maybe they should go to God together?

The "stop it, stop it" yes, I believe is Joe talking to Harper. He can't say it, and neither should she. It is a choice whether or not you swear in the Mormon faith- and if you read the whole play- they really don't- except in extreme situations.

"That alone in the eyes of God." Thats quite a powerful line. I think you should look into Mormonism and you'll find some more answers. It's all about God- its about living a life so that you will go to Heaven. He HAS to be a good man. He has no choice. If he's gay- he is going to hell. Period. There's no acceptance.

[MrMarkCharlieBrownCohen]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 11:54am

I really appreciate everyones help on this!

I read the show a long time ago and saw the movie, but I needed some quick advice for an audition.

Thanks again!!

[beacon1]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:06pm

You're missing a a few lines there...

Joe: I think we ought to pray. Ask God for help. Ask him together...

Harper: God won't talk to me. I have to make up people to talk to me.

Joe: You have to keep asking

Harper: I forgot the question.
Oh yeah. God, is my husband a...

Joe (scary): Stop it. Stop it. I'm warning you.
Does it make any difference? That I might be one thing deep inside, no matter how wrong or ugly that things is, so long as I have fought, with everything I have, to kill it. What do you want from me? What do you want from me, Harper? More than that? For God's sake, there's nothing left, I'm a shell. There's nothing left to kill.
As long as my behavior is what I know it has to be. Decent. Correct. That alone in the eyes of God.

Harper then interrupts him by saying it's Utah talk to say that behaving right is all that is needed even though your inner feelings are different. And the conversation continues.

And the conversation continues. It's in Scene 8, Act/Chapter 1 "Bad News" of the Millenium Approaches section of AIA.

Hope this helps.