Throughout “Angels in America,” there is a presence of paranormal and fantastical characters, one of which being Ethel Rosenberg. Roy–the big-shot lawyer–is the reason that Ethel was put in the electric chair, and as a result, he is visited by her ghost. From my interpretation of the text, Roy secretly enjoys Ethel’s company because he is lonely and she’s the only person who will talk to him. For example, in Part II, Act III, Scene II, Roy is in his hospital room with Ethel. Instead of ignoring her presence, Roy engages in conversation with her. Not only that, but during their conversation, Ethel makes a joke, and then “they’re laughing, enjoying this,” (Kushner 188). Instead of getting mad at Ethel and telling her to leave him alone, Roy makes the decision to talk with her and they even enjoy laughing together. Laughing is something that Roy does not do often because he’s a very serious man. Laughing would force Roy to put his guard down, which he never does. So, when he and Ethel are laughing together, it shows us that Ethel is bringing out a side of Roy that we would not otherwise see. Even though he does not want to admit it, Roy enjoys Ethel’s company.
Ethel should have a lot of anger toward Roy as he is the reason she and her husband died. However, when Ethel continues to visit Roy, she does not scream and curse him out, she stays and talks with him. Roy tried to push Ethel away, but she keeps coming back. As a result, Roy feels that he can be honest with Ethel because whatever happens, he knows she will keep coming back to him.
Part of the reason that Roy is acting honestly with Ethel and not any of the other characters in the play is because Roy is a mean man who pushes away the people in his life who care about him. For example, Belize–Roy’s nurse–is just trying to treat him in the hospital. Belize is being paid to take care of Roy, but instead of saying thank you and being kind, Roy tells Belize to “move your nigger cunt spade faggot lackey ass out of my room,” (Kushner 187). Roy creates problems and picks fights with anybody who will fight back, using slurs to target Belize and get under his skin. Roy continues to hurt the people who could possibly care about him, including Belize.
This is very interesting and definitely not a thought I have had before. But I do agree. It is telling that Ethel never screamed or got super angry. But I do think that says more about her character and her journey. Ethel is not strongly reacting to Roy because she knows she holds the most power. Not only can Roy not do anything to hurt her anymore, but she knows that he will die and she has the ability to cause him distress without any pain to herself. The damage is already done. Even though her presence is a fragment of Roy’s imagination, the fact that she is even present in the play means she is still in his thoughts, literally and figuratively haunting him. Even though Roy acts all macho, I think he secretly knows he has nothing left.