Both Sophocles in his play, Antigone, and Lorraine Hansberry, in her play A Raisin in the Sun, explore the ideas of dignity and morals. Everyone has their own personal morals; however, not everyone has enough dignity to publicly support their own beliefs. These texts were written in very different time periods, as Antigone was produced almost 2500 years before A Raisin in the Sun. Antigone and Ismene, sisters in the play Antigone, lose their brother and view the situation with very contrasting perspectives. Antigone will not let her brother be disrespected and is willing to risk her life while Ismene is complacent and focused on individual survival. Walter and Beneatha have similarities such as the desire to gain control and the respect of
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Beneatha is a single person with no family while Walter must provide for his wife and son; this causes them to vary in perspectives. While arguing over who should receive the insurance money Walter sarcastically looks at Beneatha and Ruth then exclaims, “The world’s most backward race of people”(38). Walter uses “backward” to highlight how ludicrous he believes his family members are. To him, an assimilated black man, things genuinely seem “backward” as Beneatha belongs to an inferior race and gender; however, she aspires to a position of higher wealth within society. The use of his diction also displays that he instantly loses respect for those closest to him as soon as they do not agree with him. His diction reveals how his loss of self respect causes him to retaliate towards his own family members. Walter is misguided from his morals, however Beneatha isnot as she contrasts in personality and situation. While discussing what she wants to become she states, “but first I’m going to be a doctor… I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that!”(50). Since she has no family to take care of, Beneatha does not have immediate needs like Walter has, this allows her to aspire to something much greater such as “[being] a doctor”. Beneatha uses repetition to accentuate her dreams and …show more content…
Dignity without correct morals is dangerous while morality without dignity is useless. Within Antigone, Ismene’s lack of pride inhibited her from defying Creon. This caused her to feel guilty and later regret denying her brother’s proper burial. Antigone however, had both and was able to honor her brother as she stood up for herself and beliefs. Sophocles conveys that lack of respect towards oneself will cause one to stray from their principles. Lorraine Hansberry also similarly highlights this message as Walter lost all his self respect and this caused him to focus on regaining honor through wealth and not familial bonds. These texts reveal how morals are only useful if
Beneatha is a single person with no family while Walter must provide for his wife and son; this causes them to vary in perspectives. While arguing over who should receive the insurance money Walter sarcastically looks at Beneatha and Ruth then exclaims, “The world’s most backward race of people”(38). Walter uses “backward” to highlight how ludicrous he believes his family members are. To him, an assimilated black man, things genuinely seem “backward” as Beneatha belongs to an inferior race and gender; however, she aspires to a position of higher wealth within society. The use of his diction also displays that he instantly loses respect for those closest to him as soon as they do not agree with him. His diction reveals how his loss of self respect causes him to retaliate towards his own family members. Walter is misguided from his morals, however Beneatha isnot as she contrasts in personality and situation. While discussing what she wants to become she states, “but first I’m going to be a doctor… I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that!”(50). Since she has no family to take care of, Beneatha does not have immediate needs like Walter has, this allows her to aspire to something much greater such as “[being] a doctor”. Beneatha uses repetition to accentuate her dreams and …show more content…
Dignity without correct morals is dangerous while morality without dignity is useless. Within Antigone, Ismene’s lack of pride inhibited her from defying Creon. This caused her to feel guilty and later regret denying her brother’s proper burial. Antigone however, had both and was able to honor her brother as she stood up for herself and beliefs. Sophocles conveys that lack of respect towards oneself will cause one to stray from their principles. Lorraine Hansberry also similarly highlights this message as Walter lost all his self respect and this caused him to focus on regaining honor through wealth and not familial bonds. These texts reveal how morals are only useful if