Anouilh's Antigone Journals

Journal overview (unless otherwise stated):  You need to discuss the topic, provide quotations, and analyze the quotations.  The form you complete this in doesn't matter.  For those of you working on analysis, you might want to place the quotations at the top of the page, color code and directly analyze without worrying about forming sentences.  Then write a paragraph discussing the ideas.  For those of you working on organization, you might want to attempt to write a strong paragraph with a clear topic sentence and argument points.  Or, the discussion of the topic might develop more questions than it provides answers, but it should show that you are independently thinking about specific lines.

 Journal 1:  A list of concepts, lines (skittles? Flibbertigibbet?) and ideas that identify the context or cultural issues that would help you understand the text.  As mentioned in class, at this point your job is simply to make the list.   

Reading:  End of scene one with Antigone’s exit. 

Journal 2:  Choose one of the five quotations you liked and discuss why it struck you as interesting.  How does Antigone’s interaction with Ismene and the nurse shape your opinion of her?  How does Antigone view her role as a woman as compared to Ismene?  How do the women view Hameon and Creon?

Reading:  Through Chorus’ definition of tragedy (29) and Edith Hamilton’s tragedy article

Journal 3: Read and mark the tragedy article.  Then complete the reading from Antigone and identify the qualities that Anouilh claims make a tragedy.  In the journal summarize how each author defines tragedy, identifying the similarities and differences.  The play’s title suggests that it is a tragedy, examine how Anouilh embraces and/or reject the definitions.

Reading: To Pause on 39

Reminder:  We’re going to start by discussing Anouilh’s portrayal of Creon, especially after Poly was buried and in your reading.

Journal 4:  Choose three key lines.  Analyze and discuss the significance of the lines.  Where you take the lines is up to you: characterization, plot, theme, conflict, tension, motif, stylistic device, staging… you can connect the quotation to the scene or the play as a whole. 

Reading:  To Antigone’s departure (44)

Journal 5:  Part I) There are a variety of contrasting issues in the play that create tension:  Make a list of the issues you are aware of and choose 2 to discuss thoroughly (how is each side portrayed, how do the sides interact, what is the tension or discussion that Anouilh puts forth?  Part II) What are Creon and Antigone arguing about?  What conclusion does Antigone come to at the end of the play and why?

Reading:  Finish the play

Journal 6:  Consider the purpose of the guards, nurse and the dog? In some ways, a play is about movement.  In what way are the characters devoid of movement in the play?  Why?  Also consider how he uses silence and time.