Homework for Wednesday, 10/29, and Thursday, 10/30

For Wednesday, those sections that received the in-class essay should type it over, edit it, and make any revisions necessary for making it a formal essay. These include making revisions according to my comments, referring to specific examples from Antigone, repairing the introduction, and the like. On Wednesday, you will receive the directions for converting this essay into a new essay that compares Antigone to a story of your choice from Uncle Tom's Children. We will have access to a laptop cart on Wednesday, so make sure that you bring a hardcopy of your typed revision and e-mail the essay to yourself so you can continue working on it in class. If you own a laptop, you may bring it to class. 

The section that did not receive their in-class essay (due to my error) should read and annotate the handouts distributed in class and write one journal that combines a response to both handouts. In response to the Margolies article, you should focus on your response to his analysis of Wright's writing; in response to the Miller essay, you should concentrate on the differences between Miller identifies between ancient and modern tragedies.

In-Class Essay Wednesday, 10/15, and Thursday, 10/16

In class on Wednesday and Thursday, you will have to write one essay about Antigone. For reasons I will explain in class, I have decided to offer the same two topics for all of the sections, and you will be able to choose your topic. Here they are:

In a well-organized and well-written essay, address one of the following topics. Be sure to skip a line and write on one side of the page.  You may not use your book, your journal, or any notes of any kind. 

Topic 1: A critic has written that "tragedy begins as art, which real life then imitates." With this observation in mind, do you consider Antigone to be tragic, or do teachers and critics overstate its tragic qualities? In your response, be sure to define tragedy, refer to specific aspects of the play (plot developments, characterizations, conflicts, themes, and so on) in support of your position, and discuss the connection (or lack thereof) between Antigone and real-life tragedies.

Topic 2: Concerning Antigone, one critic has claimed, "The play is about Creon's failure." Another critic has argued that Antigone's "very defeat is [her] triumph," which gives her a "sublime dignity." Based on these observations, who is the play's central tragic figure? Or, can you reconcile these perspectives and argue that the play is about both Antigone and Creon? If you select Creon, consider the following: What exactly is Creon's failure? How does this failure render him tragic? If you select Antigone, address the following: Is Antigone's defeat in fact a triumph? If so, how does this triumph render her tragic? If not, in what ways is Antigone a tragic figure?

How to Write a Journal Entry

With the reading from Antigone due next class, you will write your first journal entry without a prompt. Follow the guidelines in the Google document posted to the right that is labeled "How to Write a Journal Entry." The main thing I want to see in your journal entry is that you are thinking about what you have read. You should annotate as you read Antigone, and you should be prepared to discuss your observations, your significant passage, and your questions. If you have any questions, as always, don't hesitate to ask.