: Harold Bloom argues in his introduction that while Kushner views himself as a political dramatist, his true power lies in his spiritual and metaphysical explorations. Bloom identifies Kushner’s literary "ancestors" as Walt Whitman and Herman Melville , rather than strictly political figures like Bertolt Brecht.
The anthology is valued for moving beyond the surface-level politics of Kushner's work to provide a rigorous academic study of his language, form, and philosophical depth. While some reviewers find Bloom's "Shakespeare-centric" approach dismissive of Kushner's actual political goals, they agree the collection is an essential resource for understanding Kushner’s contribution to modern American drama. Tony Kushner (Bloom's Modern Critical Views)
: The volume features analysis on how Kushner "queers" history by interrupting traditional narratives of progress and national exceptionalism, creating what some call an "angel archive" to explore a different future. Key Essays and Contributors : Harold Bloom argues in his introduction that
: Contributes a seminal piece on the intersections of queer and Jewish identities, specifically through the character of Roy Cohn. and philosophical depth.