Review of the play Antigone by Sophocles

          The play Antigone, by Sophocles, is a sad story but a thought-provoking one. In this play, the many deaths and sorrows make it very tragic. In the story, Creon makes a very strict law and then enforces it to the fullest extent possible on Antigone when he sentences her to death. This brings up the question should he have shown more leniency and been more flexible. It also brings up the point of morality vs. law. Some would argue that it is more important to keep order through the law than be kind and help others. In the beginning,  Antigone decides that she will bury her brother because she loves him and openly defy the law even though she knows it is wrong and will get her killed. This brings up the question should she have followed the rules just like everyone else and been more loyal to her country. This question is basically loyalty to one's family vs. one's country. Her actions also bring up the question is it ever fair or right to break the law. Ultimately, there is no straight answer to these questions. That is what makes this play interesting. The reader can use his or her own values and moral judgement to decide which character to side with. The play doesn't directly support one or the other philosophies so it doesn't tell the reader or viewer what to think. While the story is a tragic one, it is a very thought-provoking and interesting one.

Is it ever ok to break the law?

Laws are in place for people to follow for a reason. Many of the laws we must abide by are just common sense such as don't steal or don't kill people. These are laws that we know are very important. Most people will agree that it is never ok to break these laws. But some laws are less important. These are the ones that could possibly be ok to break. It depends on the people's intentions. If someone has very good intentions with something they do and accidentally break a law or break it but never even knew it was there, then that is pardonable. If someone deliberately breaks a law and knows their breaking it and harm befalls others, then that is not pardonable. Among the authorities, breaking any law is not ok and that is true. They were put there for a reason and they cannot be broken for a reason. But the question is it ok to break the law does not mean can you avoid the punishment and fight the authorities because that is obviously no. But is it ok or is it immoral. If someone doesn't pay the parking meter, they broke the law and they will have to pay the fine no matter what. But can they forgive themselves in their heart for breaking the law. Possibly. If they honestly forgot, then they can forgive their self but if they said oh well I'm just not going to pay the meter, then it is wrong. So there are really two ways to look at the question is it ok to break the law. With the authorities the answer is no, never, you will always have to pay the consequence. But is it ok with yourself to break the law. It depends on your intentions and only you know your true intentions.  

The kite in The Kite Runner

          In the book, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the kite is a prominent symbol. In their culture, kite fighting is a custom. Amir and Hassan fight together. Amir is the kite fighter and Hassan is the kite runner. Kites for Amir are first a symbol of his relationship with Baba, later, his guilt about Hassan, and finally, a reminder of his childhood.

          During the first part of the book, Amir is looking for Baba's love and pride. he always feels like Hassan gets the attention and Baba is never interested in him. The one thing that Amir and Baba do together is fight kites.  Amir enters the contest with Hassan but his main purpose is to impress Baba.  When Amir wins the competition, he sees Baba on the roof cheering for him. He thinks he has finally won Babas acceptance when he says " Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last" (66) He sees that Baba is finally proud of him and he says that it is the greatest moment of his life.

          After Amir wins the kite fighting competition and he sees Baba, finally proud of him, all he thinks about is getting the blue kite to Baba to solidify Babas feelings. Hassan had gone to get the kite but he did not return so Amir went out to look for him.  Amir found Hassan being tormented by Assef and his friends. He could have said something and stood up for Hassan but he didn't. Amir ran away and let Hassan get raped by Assef rather than stand up for him the way he had done for Amir many times before. He justified his decision when he said "Assef was right, nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay in order to win Baba." (77) He abandoned Hassan so that he could get the kite to give to Baba. He just wanted the kite to give to Baba and any way he could get it, he would.

          Towards the end of the book, Amir had not flown kites in a long time. He had not flown a kite since the competition that he won. During the previous parts of the book, Amir had time to reflect on the bad things he did. He visited his old friend Rahim Khan who was about to die. Rahim Khan asked Amir to go to Kabul and find Hassans son Sohrab.  Amir was very afraid and refused to do it. Later, Amir came back and told Rahim that he was going to Kabul.  After a lot of work, he finally found Sohrab and was able to take him home with him. At the very end of the story when Amir and Sohrab are flying the kite, It resembles two relationships that Amir had before.  Amir is showing Sohrab that he really cares about him, something that Baba rarely showed.  Amir also runs the kite for Sohrab after they win and he says, "For you a thousand times over."

          The kite plays a role in many of the important events in this book. It also symbolizes many of Amir's deepest feelings. The kite is something that brings Amir and Baba together which then causes the relationship between Amir and Hassan to fall apart. Kites symbolize Amirs feelings of need, guild, and redemption throughout the story.

 Courage in the characters of in the time of the butterflies         
   
            In the book, In the time of the butterflies by Julia Alvarez, the theme courage is very prominent. Each character displays courage in their own way throughout the story. The most obviously courageous character in the story is Minerva. She leads the resistance against the regime and encourages others to join. She also defends herself and her friends from Trujillo's attitudes and policies. By standing up to him, a powerful and deadly dictator, she is exhibiting a lack of fear as well as courage and a drive to do what is right despite the consequences. Dede seems to be quite the opposite of Minerva. She is the one who never joins the rebellion and is pushed around by her husband. Dede however, is loyal to her sisters, husband, and family. The way Dede shows courage is by being there for the people who need her and putting up with many things just for other people's sake. Maria Teresa helps out with the rebellion and has to put up with being in prison. Even though she is much more of a follower than a leader, she took a leap of faith when she decided to cover up for Minerva's sneaking out and ultimately join the rebellion. Patria shows courage to herself and therefore to the reader through her thoughts. She starts off by deciding not to become a nun but marry Pedrito. Then, they decide to join the rebellion. She has to deal with many hardships like losing her child and her sisters being in prison. Patria is very religious and ultimately her courage comes from her faith. They all help each other out and they are not afraid to sacrifice for one another as seen when Dede states that she is Minerva in from of the police. Their courage comes from their loyalty to each other, the people around them, and their country.