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Antigone v. Home Fire

 One thing that was very prevalent to me in Antigone was the relationship between Antigone and her sister, Ismene. This was very similar to the relationship that we saw in Home Fire between Aneeka and Isma. Both Aneeka and Antigone defy the rules because both are strongly devoted to their faith and their family. Aneeka rejects Karamat's law that her brother cannot be buried at home. She travels to the Middle East to be with her brother and try to bring his body home. Similarly, Antigone rejects Creon's law that her brother be left to rot. She resolves to bury him herself, claiming that that is the treatment the Greek Gods demand for the dead. Even though both are aware that their brothers are traitors to the State, their love for their family transcends their loyalty to the State. Shamsie's Aneeka is also very similar to Antigone in that both characters feel like they can't go on in an unjust world. Both show anger and sadness in their voices.

On the other hand, Ismene and Isma are both very similar. Both sisters wish to protect what family they have left. Neither want to create further trouble with the State. Even though both compromise their faith, they deem it necessary for their safety and their family's safety. Also, both plead with their respective sisters not to cause more controversy because they think it will hurt all of them. Ismene and Isma both seem deliberately cautious in their language as if they are not trying to upset anyone. Both desire peace. 



Comments

  1. Noah English 11H BlogOctober 14, 2022 at 11:30 AM

    It's really interesting to see the parallel between Annika/Antigone and Isma/Ismene. We read a very similar argument between the two, just at a very different place in the book. In Home Fire, we see the sisters affection for each other before the fight, we know their deep connection. In Antigone, we don't get the same context around the sisters. I wonder how this may shape the readers perception of the sisters as the book progresses.

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    Replies
    1. Critical Thinkers and WritersOctober 20, 2022 at 8:48 AM

      An excellent question. Do you think this makes Ismene a less sympathetic figure than Isma becomes?

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 14, 2022 at 4:47 PM

    Hi James! I too noticed the similarities between Aneeka & Antigone and Isma & Ismene. With Antigone, we are instantly thrown into a situation directly after the death of Polyneices and get to see a glimpse of the sisters' relationship in a intense, heated moment. In Home Fire, we get to see the ups and downs of the sisters' relationship, so I'm interested to see how the relationship develops in Antigone and if we get to see more similarities with Home Fire.

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  3. Audrey SchroederOctober 15, 2022 at 5:20 PM

    Hi James, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I completely agree and had actually written a blog post about the same topic. I appreciate how you analyzed the similarities in the plot as well as the literary similarities in the characters' voices. I agree that Aneeka/Antigone is angry/sad/passionate while Isma/Ismene is more reserved/cautious.

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  4. Griffin JonesOctober 18, 2022 at 11:16 PM

    I think you bring up an interesting point about the two sisters both caring about their family. When I was first reading I saw Aneeka/Antigone's desires being in contrast with Isma/Ismene's. But now that I take a step back it seems as though both of their number one goals is to protect their family. Aneeka/Antigone is just focused on a more spiritual world and Isma/Ismene on a physical one.

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