In the series of articles by J. Bryan Lowder, “Postcards on Camp,” the author discusses the French philosopher and writer Barthes and his ideas on camp, describing it as “the rescue of nuance.” Barthes refers to nuance as the direct opposition of the perceived and stereotypical, coining the term doxa. There are multiple instances of challenging doxical conventions included in Tony Kushner’s play, Angels in America: a Gay Fantasia on National Themes. By challenging these doxical conventions, Kushner complicates the ideas of politics during the Reagan Administration and spiritual authority in Mormonism.
One example of this is Roy Cohen’s character, which challenges the doxical convention surrounding political inaction in regard to the AIDs epidemic. The Reagan Administration is criticized for their lack of initiative in combatting the AIDs crisis, which stems from the disease primarily affecting stigmatized groups. Cohen’s character holds lots of political influence and power, yet he is diagnosed with AIDs. Cohen says to his doctor “No, Henry, no. AIDS is what homosexuals have. I have liver cancer” (Kushner 2013, 47). Roy makes this distinction, lying about his condition, as a result of his internalized homophobia and because he is aware of the power and influence he could lose if others were to find out that he was diagnosed with AIDs.
Another example of this is the angel’s declaration of Prior Walter as a prophet, challenging the doxical convention surrounding homosexuality and religion. In the play, Prior and Harper meet in his dream and her delusion, and Harper says to him “Oh! In my church we don’t believe in homosexuals” (Kushner 2013, 32). Mormonism is a central theme to this play; it plays a major role in the lives of characters Harper and Joe. In Mormonism, acting upon same-sex attraction is considered a sin, often resulting in the homophobic and exclusionary attitudes towards homosexuality from Mormons. The idea of a gay man dying of AIDs being declared a religious figure is a doxical convention in and of itself.
I hadn’t ever heard the term “doxical conventions” before, but your post is helping me understand it. You spoke about the doxical convention presented with Roy and AIDS in politics, and you also mentioned Mormonism and how Prior being a Profit is also a doxical convention. Another piece of the play that I noticed as a doxical convention is Harper admitting that she has a valium addiction. Harper explains that Mormons cannot have addictions, but not only does she have a valium addiction, she can recognize it and be honest with herself about it.