Antigone and Home Fire Comparison/Differences
So by now, I'm a good chunk into Sophocle's Antigone. I have to say that I really like the flow of the story so far! I know our class had already discussed how Antigone was the inspiration for Shamsie's Home Fire, but I didn't realize how closely related the two are and how much Home Fire takes from Antigone until now. I think Shamsie does a great job in updating the story, but it's been quite enjoyable to see the original material and furthermore, read a play version rather than an actual novel. I find the play to be slightly more engaging just because the format is shorter and slightly easier to read at a faster pace.
One thing I notice immediately in comparing and contrasting the two texts are the characters in Antigone and the parallels to their counterparts in Home Fire. Not only is it easy to see the parallels based on their names (for example Aneeka is Antigone, Haemon is Eamonn, etc) but the characters mirror each other personality wise very closely. For instance, I noticed early on that Ismene takes on the motherly role who likes following the law while Antigone is more headstrong, emotional, and justice oriented. These personality characteristics are very much replicated in Home Fire. However, I did notice that the original Ismene differs in one stark contrast from Shamsie's Isma. This can be seen by Ismene's evolution in the story from being hesitant to break the law to wanting to protect her sister by siding with her. I feel that in Home Fire, Isma's law abiding streak continues throughout the text and she never fully sides with Aneeka nor supports her to the end. I thought this distinction to be very interesting because that is not the case in Antigone. Here, Ismene is willing to go against authority and stand with her sister and her actions. It can be said that Ismene is just trying to protect her sister, but it does seem like she is more open to seeking justice rather than following the law compared to Shamsie's depiction and interpretation in Home Fire.
I appreciate your dialogue on how Isma and Ismene diverged in the end when deciding between family or integrity—Isma stays true to her adhernece to the law in the name of security. Whereas Ismene stands with her sister even though she doesn't believe its the best course of action. Both actions have value, they just show it in different ways.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that Ismene seems to be more committed to Antigone's ideals than Isma and Ismene asks for her life to be taken alongside of Antigone, I think that Isma does have a parallel interaction. I think that the scene where Isma goes to Karamat's home is supposed to be like when Ismene goes to see Creon with Antigone. In this scene Isma flips her stance, confronts the tyrant, and decides to be with Aneeka just like Ismene.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about the significance of this scene. It does feel like Ismene pledges herself more directly to Antigone, although I may be remembering that incorrectly...
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