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The Learning Tree

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The Learning Tree
In the novel, The Learning Tree, written by Gordon Parks, is a character by the name of Newt Winger. He is a kind black teenager who is a constant victim of racism by the opposing whites. In the play, Antigone, is a character by the name of Antigone who is a daughter of a former king. She has a strong moral character and the will to accomplish anything. As I compare these two characters, one will begin to see the close similarities between the two in will, moral character to do what is right, and other aspects of life. The two characters have a strong moral character in facing tough decisions. When Newt was up on the witness stand and was being questioned by the defense attorney as to why he didn't come out with this information earlier, Newt responded, "I—I thought it might bring on some kind of race trouble." (195) This shows a strong moral character because after all his pensive thinking, Newt finally defended a white man and turned in the killer who was black, realizing what the consequences were. Newt wasn't so naïve that he just wanted the blacks to win no matter what, he wanted it to be fair and just, even if it meant turning in a black man. Similarly, Antigone wants to bury Polyneices who died a hero, but Creon said whom ever buries him will be stoned to death. Antigone shows her strong moral character by saying, "Ismene, I am going to bury him…he is my brother. And he is your brother, too." (672) Antigone realizes the consequences, but doesn't think about them. She knows what is morally right and nothing can get in her path because of the will she has to bury her brother. To sum up, Newt and Antigone have shown strong moral character by standing up for what is right, even if it puts their cities in turmoil and isn't the popular way to go. This reminds me of the quote in the Bible that says, "What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right." This is the best description of Newt and Antigone's personalities.
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