An Exploration of Politics, Identity and Cultural Consciousness in Tony Kushner's Selected Plays i

Abstract

This study attempts an examination of the literary works of Tony Kushner (1956- ) who preaches his political ideologies and beliefs through his drama. His plays reflect the hidden conflicts in the American society. He wrote plays that reveal his views about the social and political issues that troubled him as well as the minorities all over the world. His plays discuss various important themes like national identity, gender, social problems, anxiety and despair brought by man-made disasters. He visualizes the painful progress of seeking self-awareness and hope in the future in addition to the possibility of redemption for the human race in the present era through progress. The thesis studies Kushner’s drama in relation to politics, individualism, and cultural awareness. It examines his drama following the criteria of New Historicism approach. The study comes to a conclusion that activism and change are the main tools Kushner *Key words: cultural identity, political identity, tolerance, minority literature, racial discrimination, progressivism.used to move his audience towards progress.