Joe Pitt is a conflicted and guilt ridden man struggling to overcome the rules he thinks he supposed to live by and the expectations of everyone in his life. In the play, Angels in America by Tony Kushner, I found every character unique and intriguing for their own individual qualities. Each person brought a new voice to the struggle of everyday life and survival. But, Joe Pitt. . . he was different. We actually watched him grow and begin to change into a different man.
We learn early in the play that Joe is quick to deny his homosexuality. In his initial exchange in the bathroom with Louis (scene 6), he is referenced by Louis as a gay Republican. Joe was quick to say, “Not gay. I’m not gay.” (p.35) Then he makes a small recant by inferring through questions to Louis whether he perceives him as gay. This moment is significant because we learn this is a man that denies what he knows about himself.
His inner conflict is presented again (scene 8) when Harper, his wife, confronts him and asks him if he is gay. It is obvious that he wants to be honest, but can’t bring himself to come out and say it. For the first time, he tells the audience why, “Does it make any difference? That I might be one thing deep within, no matter how wrong or ugly that thing 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.” . . . . . “All I will say is that I am a very good man who has worked very hard to become good and you want to destroy that. You want to destroy me, but I am not going to let you do that.” Joe was raised a Mormon and truly believes that his homosexuality makes him a bad person. That somehow he can’t be a good person, loved by God if he is gay. He even goes so far as to compare his struggle with a biblical image from his childhood where an angel wrestles with Jacob. (p.55)
Joe’s struggle and reflection into himself leads to a growth in honesty with the people around him. This continues at a rapid pace after Harper confronts him, and builds as the play progresses. When Joe meets up with Louis in front of the Justice Building, he is chugging Pepto-Bismol and admits during their conversation, “I can’t be this anymore. I need. . . a change, I should just. . .” Louis replies, “Sometimes, even if it scares you to death, you have to be willing to break the law. Know what I mean?” And Joe admits, “Yes.” (p.79). He is beginning to see realize that he needs to be willing to rise above his fear.
This propels him to further expose himself by calling his mother and revealing he is homosexual. Still obviously conflicted by what this means, he tells her in a way that exhibits a plea for acceptance and to be loved. (p.82) By the end of the play, Joe has discussed with Harper a separation and initiates a sexual relationship with Louis. While I don’t believe that Joe had wrestled all his demons and overcome his fear that God and his mother and all the other people in his life wouldn’t love him, it is clear that out of all of the characters in the play, he was the one that grew, learned and developed.
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