Justice in America

Angels in America Act 2 Scene 7 is set on “The granite steps outside the Hall of Justice,” i.e. an important (probably federal) Courthouse where both Joe and Louis work (69). Joe then recounts his terrifying (but exciting?) vision of “the whole Hall of Justice, it’s empty, it’s deserted, it’s gone out of business. Forever” (72). How is Angels in America concerned with “Justice”—as a religious concept (divine judgement), and/or as a legal principle (lawyers and courts and civil/human rights), and/or as political power (the Justice Department in the 1980s), and/or as an abstract ideal or moral imperative (how we should treat others)? What might the play be saying about how America does or should think about justice? Do these categories (religious, legal, political, philosophical, moral, etc) of "justice" conflict, or synthesize, or add up, or interpenetrate? How does the play want to shape our thinking about Justice?    

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