LRJ #2

Celia Byrne
Ms. Peifer
English 10IB
Hour 4
24 November 2008

Sophocles uses a lot of imagery in his work Antigone. In one symbolic scene, the findings of Antigone's body is described in a way that contrasts what is being illustrated in the text. "We saw her lying: she made a noose of her fine linen veil And hanged herself. Haeman lay beside her, His arms about her waist, lamenting her, His love lost underground." (Lines 58-62.) This scene creates almost a sense of a romantic death. Antigone has chosen her death without regret while her loved one lays beside her. Although depressing, it almost makes you feel relieved that Antigone had died without pain and suffering in a cave for eternity. The imagery used in Antigone helps the reader feel more personal with the characters and provides a simpler understanding of what is going on.
A character in the play that acquired a deep fatal flaw was King Creon. He was an arrogant man who over bared his pride. When his son, Haemon threatened to take his own life if his father does not release Antigone, he told his guard, "Let him do, or dream, more than man-good speed to him! But he shall not save these two girls from their doom." (Sophocles.) He displays being overconfident when he is so sure that Antigone will realize her wrongdoings. "And there, praying to Hades, the only god whom she worships, perchance she will obtain release from death; or else will learn, at last, though late, that it is lost labour to revere the dead." (Sophocles.)
The moment Creon realizes what a mess he has made is captured in his Anagnorisis. "Surely a god Has crushed me beneath the hugest weight of heaven And driven me headlong a barbaric way To trample out the thing I help most dear." (Lines 94-97.) This occurs after the realization of what his perverse actions have cost him; the loss of his own beloved family members. Reversal fate, Peripetia, is shown with Creon when he sees his own dead son. "When Creon saw him the tears rushed to his eyes." (Lines 63-64.) With the dramatic deaths and Creon's Anagnorisis, the audience lets go of the fear, Catharsis, they held throughout the story of what will happen next.
Women are characterized in Antigone as passionate and emotional. Antigone is passionate and straight forward of what she wants to do for her brother, while Ismene is a bit more cautious and sensitive. With the death of her son, Eurydice takes her own life as well.

Works Cited:

Sophocles. "Antigone." Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall 2001. 814-826.

Sophocles. "Antigone." Malaspina University-College Website. Trans. Ian Johnston. May 2005.
Malaspina University College. 28 November 2008 .

My Sister, My Friend

Antigone,
My dear, dear sister... Please forgive my faults and making you feel as though I have no honor for our brother and you. I was idiotic for letting you walk out the door. There are no excuses for my attitude, but I hope you will forgive me through my actions. I plan to stand next to you if Creon accuses you for wrongdoing. I want to make sure our brother receives a proper burial. If that means punishment for us, I will accept. Times are becoming more tough and I cannot imagine living my life on Earth without you. If that means traveling to the afterlife with you, then so be it. I will not hesitate. You are my sister, therefore my other half.
Love you forever,
Ismene

Love Does Hurt

One chilly night, I was peacefully watching the news at home while eating some cookies with a nice glass of milk. When suddenly, I almost spat it all out. "13 YEAR OLD GIRL STABS EX BOYFRIEND AT HIGHLAND PARK JR HIGH SCHOOL." All I could feel was complete disgust. What has this society come to? A normal breakup at this age may involve a few tissues or playing the "I don't care" attitude. Not a trip to the hospital for stitches and an assault charge. Ridiculous moments like this leave me feeling completely dumbfounded.

My Experience With Our Generation's... Friend?

Technology in my lifetime is a big part of everyday life. But have the people become too dependent on it? In the passed ten years, the use of technology has increased dramatically. Many persons have declared that they "couldn't live without it!". I think the Amish are doing well, though... We text our friends, email and IM when we can simply pick up the good old telephone and give them a ring. Although it does make lives more efficient in many ways, more and more studies have shown the negative effect of it. A lot more car crashes are due to the use of cell phones while driving. Scientists are even saying that cell phones can give you cancer where ever you keep it in your pocket!
Don't get me wrong, I do love the efficiency technology gives us. But I feel a little worried when it gets to the point where people don't know what they'd do without it.

11:37

So here we all are, sitting in the computer lab at school... These computers are pretty nifty. I am enjoying English class more this quarter. Sitting on my left side is Colin Franken, and on my right, Ella Thomson. I've known Ella ever since I've moved here. We have grown up together. Ella is like a sister to me, and vise versa. Colin is my best guy friend. He is one silly person. I enjoy each of their company very much. Ms. Peifer seems chill, as does the rest of the class. WOO!