Similarities Between Antigone And The Whale Rider
Throughout history, men have been more respected than women The Whale Rider directed by Niki Caro and written by Witi Ihimaera and the story of Antigone by Sophocles reflect this statement. Though written in two different eras and cultures both stories have elements of gender inequality. Both show that women have to to put in more effort for what they want than most men. In both Antigone and Whale Rider, the gender roles reveal that women are lesser beings than males.
In Antigone, Creon, the king of Thebes, is consumed by his pride and ego. Throughout the story it is evident that there is a sufficient amount of social issues around women in ancient Greece. Creon doesn't want a woman to be seen as stronger than him. Creon's son Haemon tries
to talk sense into his father and Creon says this, “Do you want me to show myself weak before the people?/Or break my sworn word?/No, and I will not./The woman dies,”(Sophocles 3.26-28) Antigone was aware that she was being oppressed for her gender throughout the story.
In The Whale Rider, Koro, Pai’s Grandfather, first exhibits male superiority when Pai speaks about her birth, “There was no gladness when I was born. When I was born, my twin brother died.”The idea of a woman being powerful and a man feeling weak is something unheard of at the time of this story. Throughout the story, Pai didn't understand why she wasn't allowed to do what the boys were doing.
In the stories of Antigone and The Whale Rider, there are many characters that continuously prove women and not as superior as men. This is important seeing as in current day, gender roles are still evident. Throughout all this time and we have barely improved, Women are still seen as lesser members of society. If gender roles were abolished, women wouldn’t be scared or not allowed to do things they want to do. Without a doubt, every person no matter what gender should be treated equally.
In Antigone, Creon, the king of Thebes, is consumed by his pride and ego. Throughout the story it is evident that there is a sufficient amount of social issues around women in ancient Greece. Creon doesn't want a woman to be seen as stronger than him. Creon's son Haemon tries
to talk sense into his father and Creon says this, “Do you want me to show myself weak before the people?/Or break my sworn word?/No, and I will not./The woman dies,”(Sophocles 3.26-28) Antigone was aware that she was being oppressed for her gender throughout the story.
In The Whale Rider, Koro, Pai’s Grandfather, first exhibits male superiority when Pai speaks about her birth, “There was no gladness when I was born. When I was born, my twin brother died.”The idea of a woman being powerful and a man feeling weak is something unheard of at the time of this story. Throughout the story, Pai didn't understand why she wasn't allowed to do what the boys were doing.
In the stories of Antigone and The Whale Rider, there are many characters that continuously prove women and not as superior as men. This is important seeing as in current day, gender roles are still evident. Throughout all this time and we have barely improved, Women are still seen as lesser members of society. If gender roles were abolished, women wouldn’t be scared or not allowed to do things they want to do. Without a doubt, every person no matter what gender should be treated equally.