How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #13
Angel: "The King of the Universe:/ HE Left...
Prior: Abandoned.
Angel: And did not return (2.2.83-84).
Louis and Joe aren't the only ones capable of abandonment. According to the angel, God himself is biggest abandoner of all time. He took off a while ago, leaving both his angels and human beings in the dust.
Quote #14
Belize: "Abandoned. [...] I smell a motif. The man that got away."
Prior: "Well it occurred to me. Louis" (2.2.86-89).
Belize thinks Prior's vision of the angel was caused by his depression over Louis. He implies that Prior's dream that God abandoned the universe is inspired by Louis' abandonment of Prior. This line could also be seen as a self-referential recognition by the playwright. It's kind of like Kushner is saying, "Yes I know it's a little heavy-handed, but whatever, deal with it."
Quote #15
Joe: "What you did when you walked out on him was hard to do. The world may not understand it or approve what you needed to do. And I consider you very brave" (3.4.37).
Joe admires the fact that Louis left Prior; he thinks Louis was only doing what he had to do. Staying with Prior while he was horribly sick would have been too terrible for Louis to deal with. What do you think about this? Is Joe just being self-serving and rationalizing? Could Louis' abandonment of Prior be seen as admirable in any way?