Modern Family does Streetcar

This is a scene from the ABC show called Modern Family.  The two characters seen here, Cameron and Gloria, are looking for a lost dog.  When I first saw this episode I didn't understand the reference because we hadn't read the play yet, and didn't realize until a few weeks after we had.  It doesn't show it here, but later on  they find the dog with a girl who happens to be named Blanche.

"A Streetcar Named Desire" and it's connection to our modern world

At the end of the play when Stella says to Eunice “I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley,” she’s saying she couldn’t have both, so she chose the easier option.  She’s avoiding the truth by trusting Stanley, whom she knows to be aggressive and temperamental.  “…I know how it must have seemed to you and I’m awful sorry it had to happen, but it wasn’t anything as serious as you seem to take it.  In the first place, when men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen…” (Stella 1194). Stella is excusing Stanley from his actions and treating his behavior like a routine incident.  She doesn’t see it as anything more than what happens when Stanley gets angry and something she has learned to live with.  Stella is simply blinded by her affection towards him and as a result chose him over her own sister.  She is very ignorant of Stanley’s behavior throughout the play.

            The recent Penn State scandal also represented ignorance and denial.  The assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky, was accused of sexually abusing several underage boys on or near the campus.  A few colleagues of his, who were high-level school officials, were either charged with perjury, suspended, or dismissed for failing to inform the police.  Since the allegations were towards a man who had an associate in higher places, head coach Joe Paterno, those who knew about it either didn’t believe it or chose not to.  Clearly they knew what he was doing wasn’t right but they didn’t approach anyone to put a stop to it.  If anything was said, it would give the famous football program a bad reputation which wouldn’t be good press for the prestigious school.  Stella is also subject to this because she knows how Stanley can react when something doesn’t go his way, but because of her love and attraction towards him, she is in denial.  If Stella had listened to Blanche, she would have had no choice but to leave Stanley and lose the relationship she had with him.  In the end Stella, to save her marriage, lost the only family she had.  In the same sense Joe Paterno lost the love of his life, the football program, and Penn State took a hit to their stellar reputation.

Creative Assignment: Why I believe the Censorship Committee is wrong for not publishing "The Storm"

234 Hollow Drive

Rochester, NY 14601

March 22, 1969

Henry Sherlock

434 Webster Lane

Washington Heights, NY 10033

Dear Mr. Sherlock

             In response to your defiance of the publication of “The Storm,” written by Kate Chopin, I feel the story is a true reflection of the role of women.  For years women have had their future clearly mapped out since birth.  We help our mothers when we are young, and then when we have children of our own, we are obligated to perform the tasks that society dictates. These include having babies, managing the household, cooking and having a meal ready and on the table for our husbands arriving home from a long day at work.  The social standing of women, however, is slowly changing. 

            Calixa’s character in Chopin’s piece may not have made the ideal choice, but she took action towards the idea of letting women make their own decisions.  She could have denied Alcee or told him to stop.  Calixa, however, did not give in to Alcee because she was being forced to do so, in any way.  She participated in this sinful act because she wanted to.  She was in control of her own desires.  No one told her she could or couldn’t do it.  Calixa thought for herself.

            Women have also always been expected to be very conservative.  Not to show off, in any way, especially sexually.  Our desires should be repressed at all times, in order to be considered a respectable woman.  We can conclude that for the most part women have no say in anything.  In the way we dress, act, or even speak.  Chopin presents her character with a great deal of confidence in herself, which is often lacking due to the oppressiveness and overbearing rules for women to live by.  Calixa’s fling with Alcee during the storm sends an important message to women everywhere.  You don’t need to be afraid to express who you are.  In other words, women should have the right to embrace themselves in all aspects of their life.

            There’s more to the story than just an affair.  It addresses the issues of women’s right to think for themselves, assert their own decisions, and about allowing them to have the ability to express themselves. Even though for many years tradition has been that women come second to their husband, that they must be working in the home in order to help contribute to providing for the family, times are changing.  Women are just as significant, if not more, as men in this society.  If not for women the men would not exist.

                                                                                                Sincerely,

Maire Hannigan

"One mistake does not define a person."

Sophocles’ play “Antigone” is unique.  It has many different conflicts and themes seen repeatedly throughout the story.  One major point about this piece of work is that Sophocles incorporated a strong lead female character.  Antigone goes against the civil law, speaks her mind, and is fearless when faced with the consequences of her actions.

            At one point in the play Ismene states that if Antigone must go against Creon and bury their brother that it should be done quietly.  Antigone replies with “Oh, oh, no! Shout it out.  I will hate you still worse for silence—should you not proclaim it, to everyone” (Sophocles 99-101).  Antigone believes that she must let her actions be known because she has no fear of the consequences.  She is doing what she knows is right by the gods, which she believes is greater than word of man.  Not only does she want to follow the wishes of the gods, but also respect and grieve for her brother.  If she chose to bury Polyneices in secret, he wouldn’t be receiving the proper recognition he deserves.  Those close to him have the right to mourn for the loss of his life.  “The time in which I must please those that are dead is longer than I must please those of this world.  For there I shall lie forever” (Antigone 86-88).  Antigone clearly states that time she has to keep the people on earth happy is limited compared to being with those who have gone before her.  She will be with them forever after her life here.  Her actions weren’t just to respect her brother, and the gods but for herself.  So that once it is her time to depart she can once again be with those she loves and who love her.  She was honorable and courageous in her life and will be rewarded in the afterlife for it.  From this we can say that she didn’t let the opinions of others affect her values.  Polyneices wasn’t just her brother, but a human being.  Despite what he did in life, he still had dignity and should be respected even in death.  “If I shall die before my time, I count that a profit.  How can such as I, that live among such troubles, not find a profit in death? So for such as me, to face such a fate as this is pain that does not count.  But if I dared to leave the dead man, my mother’s son, dead and unburied, that would have been real pain.  The other is not” (Antigone 506-512).  This quote exemplifies Antigone’s world views and values.  Considering her family history Antigone embraces death as a part of her journey.  She doesn’t see it as a misfortune, but a “profit.”  She would profit in death because she lived a good life.  The real hardship, in her mind, would be to leave her dead brother unburied.  She would be disrespecting both her brother and her mother.  Death wouldn’t compare to the hurt she would feel if her dead brother was left in the street to rot.

Antigone was aware of the consequences of her actions, but stood up for what she believed in.   We can conclude that the most important aspect of her life is her family, no matter what.  One mistake does not define a person.  Antigone also points out that one man does not have power alone over a group of people; he should coincide with moral law.   

 

Are You Happy Now?

This is a music video by twins Megan & Liz Mace.  It's about bullying, and it sends a really great message. It's one of my favorite songs and I thought I would share it, enjoy!

"The greatest grief's are those we cause ourselves."

In Sophocles’ Antigone we explore the concept of the tragic hero.  Sophocles once said “The greatest grief’s are those we cause ourselves,” meaning the difficult obstacles we face are often a result of our own actions.  Antigone’s character in the play embodies the tragic hero through her confidence.  She is headstrong and determined, but comes face to face with conflict, which ultimately brings about her downfall.  We also see a character possessing the traits of a tragic hero from a modern story teller, JK Rowling.   

             The tragic hero is usually seen as the central, or main, character of the story.  They are not perfect, actually the opposite, displaying deflects and flaws.  These include poor judgment, and their great pride and weakness which ultimately bring about their downfall.  During this said downfall, they elicit pity and even fear from the audience. 

    In Sophocles play, Antigone, the classic tragic hero is perceived to be Antigone.  Her fate coincides with the fate of her family.  This could be seen as one of her flaws.  Antigone’s father was predicted to marry his mother and kill his own father.  Although actions were made to prevent this from happening the prophesy ended up coming true.  The Chorus says “Lucky are those whose lives know no taste of sorrow.  But for those whose house has been shaken by God there is never cessation of ruin; it steals on generation after generation within a breed,” (Sophocles 637-642).  In other words the misfortunes that this family has thus far experienced will continue.  It’s a part of Antigone’s history and is bound to affect her in some way.   Though Antigone knows what Polyneices had done was wrong, she understands she must do what is right.  The consequences are not what matter to her.  She’s not perfect and neither is her family.  Polyneices did go against their people and should be punished, but he is still family and in the end family is most important.  The love and strength she feels for her brother ultimately lead her toward her death

Antigone’s character is so devoted to her brother and to satisfying the gods that she will stop at nothing to do what she thinks is right.  When she tells her sister, Ismene, she will bury their brother against Creon’s wishes Ismene replies with “At least do not speak of this act to anyone else; bury him in secret; I will be silent, too.”(Sophocles 97-98).  Ismene, unlike her sister is fearful and loyal to Creon.  She doesn’t want to dishonor the king even though she knows it should be done.  Antigone is more extroverted than Ismene.  She proclaims to Ismene.   “At least he is my brother—and yours too, though you deny him.  I will not prove false to him” (Antigone 51-52) She is exemplifying her bravery and outspoken mind.  “You are so headstrong.  Creon has forbidden it,” (Ismene 53) here Ismene pleads with her sister, siding with their uncle.  It shows how even though others begrudge her of her decision Antigone follows her heart anyway.  She refuses to let anyone stop her, even her own family.

A tragic hero is considered tragic because they eventually have a downfall. Their flaws are what lead them down the path of their own destruction.  Antigone’s ignorance and or altruistic characteristics clouded her judgment, therefore making said downfall her own fault.  Antigone took advantage of her freedom of choice, disregarding Creon’s ruling and respecting her brother, resulting in her descent..

            The main and obvious conflict in the story that contributes to Antigone’s downfall is between Antigone and Creon.  He rules that no one is to neither give Polyneices a proper burial nor mourn the loss of his life.  He shall lie in the street to be left for the dogs and the birds and for all to see.  “I would not count any enemy of my country as a friend—because of what I know, that she it is which give us our security,” (Creon 205-207) Creon explains his reasoning for his ruling.  He compares his nephew, Polyneices, to that of an enemy of the state whom wouldn’t be given the respect a friend would receive.  He says this to emphasize his point that Polyneices is a traitor and should be treated as such.  Creon is determined to let this man suffer for his wrongdoing.  Antigone however, still sees him as her brother and believes he has as much right to a proper good-bye as Etocles.  You can’t shun a man based on one mistake he’s made in his lifetime. 

As the story progresses one might even say that Creon is also a tragic hero.  He, just like Antigone, believes the decision he has made is the right one.  Creon is determined to keep his word on the harsh punishment any violator of the law will have to face.  Antigone does end up burying Polyneices like she planned and is caught.  Creon condemns her to death despite her being betrothed to his son Haemon.  He is set in his decision and nothing will change his mind.  When Creon is warned about the effect his decisions will have on the future of Thebes he tries to undo his wrongs.  In the end Antigone, Haemon and Creon’s wife Eurydice have committed suicide.  Because she defied the law Antigone was succumbed to death, and because Creon chose not to listen to the opinion of others he lost his family.  Creon did what he believed was best for the people, and Antigone decided to do right by her family.  Both determined and poignant in their beliefs, they led themselves to their ultimate fate.

The story of Antigone reminds me of a modern day tragic hero, from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, Severus Snape.  He was a struggling character.  Growing up his parents neglected him and he was bullied by his peers.  He fell in love, and even though the girl ended up with someone else he did everything he could to protect her son, Harry.  Like Antigone, Snape defied those he was close with to be there for someone he truly cared for.  Harry’s father happened to be someone who had tortured Severus as a boy, and since he resembled his father, Severus himself made Harry’s time in school miserable.  Snape had gone to the dark side at one point in his life so throughout the series he doesn’t seem like a trustworthy character.  In the end we find out that all those times that it seemed Snape had gone out of his way to hurt Harry, he was really saving his life.  Despite loosing his true love not only to another man but to death as well Severus risked his own life to keep an eye out for her only son.  We also see this in Antigone in that she has lost her whole family and is now giving up her life to defend what she believes in.  Although they both die a tragic death, they show us that love is more powerful than anything else.  It’s a fight worth fighting for.

            The tragic hero is a misunderstood character.  They’re more realistic in the sense that they do posses faults and are therefore more relatable.  Antigone is a great example of a tragic hero because she dies for her brother and her beliefs despite those who were against her.