What do you think Antigonê and A Raisin in the Sun imply about Sophocles and Lorraine Hansberry's cultural identities?

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1342829939

http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/antigone/

To understand what Antigone and A Raisin in the Sun imply about Sophocles and Lorraine Hansberry's cultural identities, we need to analyze their works and examine their respective cultural backgrounds.

First, let's look at Sophocles, the ancient Greek playwright who wrote Antigone. Sophocles was born in Athens, Greece, around 496 BCE. Ancient Greek culture emphasized the ideals of democracy, philosophy, and tragic theater, as exemplified in Sophocles' works. Antigone, one of his most famous plays, explores themes of familial loyalty and the struggle between the individual and the state. It reflects the cultural value placed upon honoring family ties above all else, even in defiance of the law.

Moving on to Lorraine Hansberry, the American playwright who authored A Raisin in the Sun, we see a different cultural identity at play. Hansberry was a prominent African-American writer, born in Chicago in 1930. Her play, A Raisin in the Sun, presents the experiences of a Black family living in Chicago's South Side during the 1950s. It tackles themes such as racial discrimination, the American Dream, and the importance of identity. Through the play, Hansberry sheds light on the African-American experience and the struggles faced by Black families in a racially segregated society.

Now, what can Antigone and A Raisin in the Sun imply about Sophocles and Lorraine Hansberry's cultural identities?

For Sophocles, Antigone reflects his ancient Greek cultural identity, specifically the values of familial loyalty and the supremacy of divine and moral laws compared to the laws of the state. It presents the audience with the internal conflict faced by the characters and raises questions about the balance between individual rights and societal obligations.

As for Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun speaks to her African-American cultural identity. The play highlights the challenges faced by Black families striving for a better life in a racially oppressive society. It explores themes of racial prejudice, dreams, and the search for identity.

In summary, Antigone and A Raisin in the Sun reflect the cultural identities of Sophocles and Lorraine Hansberry. While Sophocles' work reflects ancient Greek values of family and moral duty, Hansberry's play delves into the African-American experience and the struggles faced by Black families in 20th-century America.