The most interesting part of the play, Antigone, is analyzing Antigone and the way she approaches the idea of family. She is so obsessed with burying her brother, for good reason I might add, yet she is willing to dismiss her sister as a traitor and lose her forever. It is evident throughout the first part of the play that Antigone tries to do right but in turn she contradicts her idea of family and goes against the kin she has left.
Within the first few pages of the play, as a reader we learn that Antigone is adamant about family and in turn will do everything in her power to give her brother a proper burial. We honor Antigone in that she is willing to risk her life and face cruel consequences for her family. However, we see her ideas on kinship crumble right before our eyes. It is obvious that her intentions are good but when faced with opposition from her sister a family feud occurs. As Ismene and Antigone disagree on what is the “right” thing to do, they push each other further apart. Antigone simply sets her sister aside as a traitor and moves on with her plan to bury her brother at all costs. To most this would seem as a complete contradiction to Antigone’s character. She is so interested in being a good sister and doing what is right, yet she is so quick to write off her sister. Part of being a member of a family is listening to other opinions and ideas and trying to make things work. Antigone on the other hand, knows that there are no other options regarding her brother; therefore, she is unable to listen to her sister’s ideas and cautions. Although Antigone has strong thoughts on the topic of family, through her actions with Ismene, it is evident that she does not completely understand the complete idea of family. Furthermore, her sister is all she has left, so she should have been more receptive to her sister’s fears and tried to save their relationship.
In conclusion, Antigone allows the reader to take away some life lessons. Through her character, Antigone shows that having family values is important and all thoughts should be considered so that the family ties are everlasting.
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5 comments:
I like the way you point out the contradictions of Antigone's character. She is risking her life for her brother's honor, but casts aside Ismene the moment she hesitates to help. As much as we admire Antigone's defiance, we know that she has her own flaws to deal with. You point out those flaws very well. Great job.
Your blog points out a trait of Antigone's that is present in all of us, and yet by its own nature we are often not aware of it: that we (as a human race) can become so caught up in an idea, belief, etc., that we can contradict ourselves without even being aware of it. Very insightful.
Your comments on Antigone and her perspective on family are very insightful. The value that she places in family is very admirable, as you say, but we also feel Mr. Coon's "tension" (*opposing hand gesture*) when she is incredibly rude and downright nasty to Ismene and Creon. Not to mention, she doesn't even go to her fiancée for help. Your blog suggests that Antigone's stubborness might have caused her ultimate downfall.
I also could relate to your comments about being a member of a family and what it entails. Even I, who gave my speech on family, have my times where I just want to get away from them. But as you say, family life includes "listening to other opinions and ideas and trying to make things work." Very good blog overall. I enjoyed it.
Interesting idea, though I think the term "family values" when it comes to this family includes inbreeding.
Good job except for the word choice that brought up bad images in my head.
X--I like what you say. Antigone is so quick to throw around the term
"traitor" that she begins to remind me of Creon, both of whom make up their minds immediately about what is loyal and what is traitorous and then stick to their guns no matter what.
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